Growing Number of Children Getting High Blood Pressure

Many people are aware of the health risks of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults, but what about in children?  Can children also suffer from hypertension? 

The answer is a definitive "yes."  In fact, the incidence of hypertension in children has been increasing over the last 10-20 years.

Hypertension in children, as in adults, is usually without symptoms, unless the elevation in blood pressure is severe.  The only way to know if your child has high blood pressure is to have it checked at the doctor's office.  Blood pressure should be checked every doctor visit after your child's third birthday.

Hypertension can be a sign of serious kidney disease or heart disease.  High blood pressure also can occur as a result to excessive intake of salt, or from a child being overweight.  High blood pressure tends to run in families, and parents with hypertension are more likely to have children who either have hypertension or blood pressure running at the upper limits of normal.

What can be done to lower blood pressure?  Limiting salt (sodium) in the diet, keeping weight within normal range and getting plenty of exercise will all lower blood pressure.  For all but the most severe hypertension, it is my practice to ask the child and family to work on lifestyle changes for at least three to six months prior to considering medicine to lower blood pressure.

Limiting sodium in the diet seems like an easy task, but many foods - particularly fast foods and processed foods - have large amounts of salt present.  There also is a surprisingly large amount of sodium in foods where it may not be expected, such as in cheese, vegetable juice, pasta sauce and salad dressings.

Some of my young patients with hypertension will eat salads to improve their diet, but will add diet salad dressings to the salads, unknowingly actually increasing their daily salt intake!

It is important to always read the nutritional label of foods and condiments.  Using spices such as pepper, paprika, oregano and curry is a good way to cut down on sodium while still enjoying tasty food.

Richard Alan Kaplan, M.D., is at Advocate Medical Group, Yacktman Pediatrics, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital.