Treating high blood pressure in children
Children who have high blood pressure often continue to have high blood pressure as adults. Children ages 3 and over should have their blood pressure monitored regularly during routine physical exams.
High blood pressure in children is rare but needs to be evaluated to find treatable causes. When a child has high blood pressure, it is more likely to be from a secondary cause—like a disease—than when an adult has high blood pressure.
High blood pressure in children should be treated with lifestyle changes and medicine if necessary. A child with secondary high blood pressure also requires medicine. The risk of secondary high blood pressure is higher in children than in adults.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: April 10, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition | |
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