| Nephrology & Hypertension |
Hypertension
The Mary Bridge Nephrology clinic evaluates and treats children with hypertension (high blood pressure). Approximately 5% of children have high blood pressure.What is it?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated. Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries.
Blood pressure has a top and a bottom number:
- Systolic Pressure (top): Pressure in the arteries when the heart pumps blood.
- Diastolic Pressure (bottom): Pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
Example:
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116 = Systolic 72 = Diastolic |
There are many reasons children may have high blood pressure:
- There may be an underlying medical problem such as kidney disease, endocrine disorders or heart disease.
- Children who are overweight often have problems with high blood pressure
- Medications such as oral contraceptives, steroids and attention deficit disorder medications may cause high blood pressure.
- There may not always be an identifiable cause for high blood pressure. This is known as primary or essential hypertension.
- Some children and teens get nervous just by going to the doctor’s office. They have high blood pressure at the doctor’s office and normal blood pressure at home. This is known as white coat hypertension.
Normal blood pressure for a child
The normal blood pressure for a child is based many variables - including age, height and gender. The doctor will use a chart to determine the best blood pressure for your child.
Signs of high blood pressure in a child
Most children do not have any symptoms of high blood pressure. Some children may experience the following:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nosebleeds
- Vision problems
- Fatigue
Younger children may be irritable and have changes in their behavior. They may also show changes in school performance.
To help understand your child’s condition, your doctor will ask lots of questions and do a physical exam. He/she may also do some urine and/or blood tests. Your doctor may also want some blood pressure readings from home(PDF), which should be written down on a blood pressure log(PDF).
Below are some helpful resources:
How to obtain a Blood Pressure Monitor(PDF)
How to check your Child’s Blood Pressure(PDF)
Blood Pressure Log(PDF)
Your doctor may also order:
- Renal Ultrasound: Looks at the kidneys
- Echocardiogram: Looks at the heart
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor(PDF): A small monitor is attached to the child’s arm and measures blood pressure for 24 hours.
In addition to treating the underlying cause of your child's high blood pressure, lifestyle changes are an important part of the treatment plan:
Discover ways to make healthy lifestyle choices for you, your children, and your family.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Children who are overweight or obese need to lose weight and may need help in the process.
Learn more about Weight Management Tools and Resources
Discover Mary Bridge's Pediatric Weight Management Program - Eat a healthy and low salt diet. Here are more resources to obtain these goals:
- Low and High Sodium at the Grocery Store(PDF)
- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
- Reading labels, choosing low salt foods and eating at restaurants
- Nutritional information about store and restaurant foods
- Healthy recipes from Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
- Visit Lowsaltfoods.com - a useful website with information on reading labels, choosing low salt foods, and eating at restaurants.
- Exercise 30-60 minutes daily
- The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- Shape Up America
- Health information for girls
- Limit screen time (TV and video games). No more than 2 hours a day
- Avoid smoking or second hand smoke
- Avoid alcohol
- Limit caffeine
- Caffeine and Kids (PDF)
Some children need medicine to help lower blood pressure. Your doctor will discuss which medicine may be best for your child.
Long-Term Effects of High Blood Pressure(PDF)
High blood pressure that is not treated will slowly and surely damage the body over time. A person may not have symptoms or be aware that this is happening. This includes damage to your heart, brain, blood vessels, kidneys and eyes.
| Videos |
| WebMD: High Blood Pressure in Kids |
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Books |
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