Why Do Some Minors Have High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is often thought of as a problem that only affects adults. We usually equate it with a stressful lifestyle or a high-sodium diet. So how can high blood pressure affect those under the age of eighteen?

While older children can experience high blood pressure for the same reasons as adults, hypertension in children under the age of six can be an indication of another health condition.

Read on to learn how children can be affected by high blood pressure and what can be done to prevent it.

What Can Cause High Blood Pressure in Young Children?

When children are under 6 years old, high blood pressure is generally not related to the same causes as it would be in older children and adults, such as diet, obesity, and inactivity. Due to underlying health conditions, even infants can be affected by high blood pressure. When a child has high blood pressure that is caused by other health conditions rather than lifestyle factors, it is referred to as secondary hypertension.

Some of the health conditions that can cause high blood pressure in younger children include:

Adrenal disorders
Heart defects
Hyperthyroidism
Genetic conditions
Kidney disease
Medications like decongestants and steroids
Obstructive sleep apnea

How is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed in Children?

If your child’s blood pressure is high during one visit to the doctor, this would not be considered an automatic diagnosis of hypertension. Your doctor will inquire about family history as well as your child’s lifestyle to determine if they need to begin monitoring for hypertension. Generally, it would take at least three doctor visits that show higher than normal blood pressure for your child to be diagnosed with hypertension.

If your child is diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will try to determine if it is primary or secondary hypertension. This will help them decide which course of treatment will be required.

To help rule out secondary hypertension, a series of tests will need to be performed to detect a possible underlying health condition. Your doctor may perform one or more of the following:

Blood test
Urinalysis
Echocardiogram
Ultrasound
Ambulatory monitoring

During these tests, your doctor will be able to gather more information about the health of your child’s heart, kidneys, and blood sugar levels. If there is an underlying health condition at play, your doctor will administer treatment to help manage that condition which should also help manage the hypertension.

Ambulatory monitoring may be called for if your doctor wants to get a more definitive diagnosis about whether your child is genuinely experiencing high blood pressure or is experiencing it as a result of anxiety, such as fear of doctor visits. This method requires your child to wear a device that monitors their blood pressure. The data will show whether your child has chronically high blood pressure or if it only occurs during stressful events.

What are the Risk Factors for Primary Hypertension in Children?

When a child’s high blood pressure is due to lifestyle factors or background, it is referred to as primary hypertension. While most of the risk factors are preventable, there are several over which you would have no control. For example, males, African Americans, Hispanics, and those with a family history of hypertension are all at a higher risk of high blood pressure. If any of these describe your child, it would be a good idea to implement healthy habits into their life to help decrease the risk of having high blood pressure.

Lifestyle factors that can put children at a higher risk of hypertension include:

Eating a diet high in sodium
Being inactive
Being overweight or obese
Having high cholesterol
Having type 2 diabetes
Smoking or being exposed to second-hand smoke

What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Minors?

To address the problem as early as possible, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of a high blood pressure emergency in children. Often, there are no visible symptoms which can make diagnosis tricky unless you take your children for regular checkups at the doctor. A blood pressure check is a standard part of a typical well-visit, so this is usually the way that high blood pressure is detected in children. If your child is determined to have high blood pressure, their doctor will likely check their blood pressure at every appointment. Otherwise, you may not realize there is a problem until there is a high blood pressure emergency.

Some of the symptoms of a high blood pressure emergency in children include:

Heart palpitations – Heart rate may be rapid, or the heart may feel as though it is pounding or fluttering.
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Headaches
Vomiting
Seizures

If your child is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, it is essential that you seek emergency treatment.

How is High Blood Pressure in Children Treated?

The course of treatment for high blood pressure in children depends on what is causing their hypertension.

When high blood pressure is caused by another health condition, it can usually be controlled by managing the underlying condition.

If your child’s high blood pressure is related to lifestyle factors, here are some healthy habits that can help manage their condition:

Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods into your child’s diet. Reduce the amount of high sodium, fried, or fatty foods.
Ensure that your child is drinking enough water. Reduce caffeinated beverages like soda and iced tea.
Encourage your child to find forms of exercise that they enjoy. Go for walks, hikes, or bike rides together. Expose them to different classes that focus on physical activities such as martial arts, dance, or team sports to help them find exercise that interests them.
If your child is overweight, help them to achieve a healthy weight through a heart healthy diet and exercise plan.
Try to keep your child away from secondhand smoke as much as possible. If you smoke or live with someone who does, use an air purifier and open the windows when possible to help clean the air for the sake of your child’s health.

Should You Have Your Child’s Hypertension Treated?

If your child has high blood pressure, it is important to have them treated by a doctor. Making lifestyle changes will play a major role in managing high blood pressure, but it may be necessary for your child to take prescription medications. Without proper treatment, high blood pressure may not go away and can lead to further health complications.

Left untreated, childhood hypertension can increase the risk of:

Heart attack
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Stroke

If your child is high risk for high blood pressure or is exhibiting symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor.

Summary

Now you know why some young people have high blood pressure. You also know why being vigilant about getting your child’s blood pressure checked out can be beneficial for their well-being. Knowing the signals your child’s body may be sending out to tell you that it needs some additional support for their cardiovascular health can help prevent further complications associated with high blood pressure.

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for a strong cardiovascular system, it’s important to seek out professional care if your family has a history of heart disease or experience any symptoms related to heart disease. If your child is experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.