High blood pressure isn’t just a problem for adults—it’s becoming more common in children too, and it could lead to serious health issues later in life.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA), published in the journal Hypertension, warns that high blood pressure in kids can lead to long-term problems with the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys, especially if not diagnosed early.
An estimated 2% to 5% of children have high blood pressure, and the most common type is now primary hypertension, meaning it’s not caused by another health condition. This is particularly common in teenagers.
The statement explains what we know so far about what causes high blood pressure in young people and what it means for their future health.
“This is not a harmless condition,” said Dr. Bonita Falkner, chair of the statement writing group.
“Children with high blood pressure often carry it into adulthood, which can increase their risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and more. The good news is that many of the risk factors can be changed with healthy habits.”
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: the top number (systolic) shows the pressure when the heart beats, and the bottom number (diastolic) shows the pressure when the heart rests. If blood pressure is consistently too high, it can damage organs over time.
Some causes of high blood pressure in kids can’t be changed, like genetics or low birth weight. But others, like diet, physical activity, and weight, can be improved. One study from China showed that children exposed to more air pollution had a higher risk of high blood pressure.
Diet is a major concern. Many children in the U.S. eat too much sodium. A review of 18 studies found that for every 1 gram of extra salt consumed daily, systolic blood pressure rose by 0.8 mm Hg and diastolic by 0.7 mm Hg.
Dr. Falkner says parents can help prevent high blood pressure by promoting healthy eating, regular physical activity, good sleep habits, and keeping kids at a healthy weight. “Regular blood pressure checks are also important,” she said, “because many kids don’t show symptoms.”
Detecting high blood pressure in children can be tricky. Doctors must use special techniques and compare a child’s readings to standard values based on their age, sex, and height. The condition is only diagnosed if high readings are seen on at least three separate visits.
Current guidelines from major health organizations use the 95th percentile of blood pressure measurements in healthy kids to define high blood pressure. These child-specific guidelines are different from adult standards because we still don’t know exactly what childhood blood pressure levels lead to future diseases.
If a child is diagnosed with high blood pressure, treatments might include eating healthier foods, being more active, reducing screen time, and sometimes taking medication. However, there is very limited research on which medications work best for kids who don’t have another health issue, like kidney disease.
The statement encourages more public health efforts, such as making school meals healthier and lowering sodium in processed foods. It also calls for more research on how to better detect and treat high blood pressure in children.
“There’s a lot we still need to learn,” Dr. Falkner said. “But we know that early detection and healthy habits can make a big difference. Helping children manage their blood pressure now can protect their health for years to come.”
The study is published in Hypertension.
