New research shows that blood pressure in childhood could have lifelong consequences for heart health.
Children with higher blood pressure as early as age 7 are more likely to die from heart disease in adulthood, according to a large U.S. study.
The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 in Baltimore and published at the same time in JAMA.
Why childhood blood pressure matters?
Blood pressure is usually seen as a concern for adults, but this study highlights its importance at every stage of life. Researchers found that children with elevated blood pressure at age 7 had about a 40% to 50% greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease—such as heart attack or stroke—by their mid-50s.
Dr. Alexa Freedman, lead author of the study and a professor at Northwestern University, explained: “We were surprised to see just how strongly childhood blood pressure predicted health decades later. These results show that monitoring and promoting healthy blood pressure in kids is critical.”
Previous studies had already linked high blood pressure in older children to health problems in adulthood. What makes this study unique is that it examined both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure in a diverse group of younger children.
The researchers tracked nearly 38,000 children born in the 1960s as part of the Collaborative Perinatal Project. Blood pressure was measured when the children were 7 years old. Decades later, survival records were checked through the National Death Index.
By 2016, more than 2,800 of the participants had died, with over 500 deaths caused by cardiovascular disease. Children in the highest blood pressure ranges—whether systolic or diastolic—were much more likely to die from heart-related causes than those with lower readings. Even children whose blood pressure was only moderately above average faced a higher risk.
Dr. Bonita Falkner, a pediatric expert with the American Heart Association, said the results support the current guidelines that recommend checking children’s blood pressure starting at age 3 during yearly doctor visits.
“This study shows that blood pressure is a vital sign for kids, just like it is for adults,” Falkner noted. “Catching problems early could make a big difference later in life.”
The study also compared siblings within the same families. Even when children grew up in the same household, those with higher blood pressure at age 7 were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than their brothers or sisters with lower readings. This suggests that blood pressure itself—not just family environment—played a role.
One limitation of the study is that each child’s blood pressure was measured only once, which might not capture changes over time. Also, the participants were mostly Black and white, so the results may not apply to all racial or ethnic groups.
Lifestyle factors have also changed since the 1960s, meaning today’s children may face different risks. Still, the message remains clear: children’s blood pressure deserves attention.
As Freedman emphasized, “Even in childhood, blood pressure numbers matter. Parents and doctors should be aware of them because high blood pressure in kids can echo throughout their lives.”
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