Signs of high blood pressure in children

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
And Resident Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Hung Tien - Resident Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Pediatric hypertension is when a child has a blood pressure reading that is higher than that of 95% of other children of the same sex, age, and height.

Causes of high blood pressure in children are quite diverse:
Primary hypertension is common in children today due to an unreasonable diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Secondary hypertension, most often caused by kidney disease. Certain medical conditions, such as vascular malformations, hormone disorders, and certain medications, can also lead to high blood pressure in children. In neonates, hypertension is often due to complications of premature birth such as renal artery stenosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; or due to congenital kidney abnormalities, coarctation of the aorta... Besides, the cause also comes from the surrounding environment, such as having a relative who smokes.

Children with high blood pressure often have symptoms of headache, dizziness, vomiting, flushing, nervousness, sweating, palpitations, convulsions, decreased vision, fatigue, edema... , signs and symptoms may indicate an acute hypertensive crisis. .
If children have long-term hypertension without early detection and treatment, it will cause many serious consequences with complications such as heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, kidney failure or brain disease.
Like adults, hypertension in children is also a silent killer disease, because it rarely shows obvious symptoms, complications come unexpectedly and dangerous.
Moreover, high blood pressure in children is more dangerous because few parents pay attention. For an accurate diagnosis, especially if the child is in a group of children prone to high blood pressure, parents should take the child regularly to a doctor or medical facility for checkups.

1 - 12 months: Blood pressure is considered normal when it is between 75/50 mmHg and 100/70 mmHg. 1 - 4 years: Normal blood pressure when readings are from 80/50 mmHg to 110/80 mmHg. 3 - 5 years: Normal blood pressure when readings are from 80/50 mmHg to 110/80 mmHg. 6-13 years old: Normal blood pressure when readings are from 85/55 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg. 13-18 years old: Normal blood pressure when readings are between 95/60 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg.
Usually, a child's blood pressure is lower than the normal blood pressure of an adult. If the child's blood pressure remains high on all three visits in a row, further testing may be necessary to confirm whether the child has high blood pressure or another medical condition.
Health experts recommend that children 3 years of age and older have their blood pressure measured during regular, general health exams. Early detection of the disease will make it easier for doctors to treat and prevent dangerous complications over time.

Parents need to be conscious of preventing high blood pressure for their children, and at the same time regularly monitor symptoms and give children periodic health checks. Hypertension in children is very easy to prevent, limit by lifestyle, healthy eating, science and regular exercise
Experts recommend, parents need to do 5 things below to prevent the disease High blood pressure in children:

Maintain a reasonable body weight Body weight is calculated by BMI according to the following formula:
BMI = weight (in kg) divided by the square of height (in meters)
If:
+ BMI = 18.5 – 24.9 is normal.
+ BMI = 25 – 30 is overweight
+ BMI > 30 is obese.
Children with obesity have a very high risk of high blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular diseases.
Ensure a balanced, scientific diet

Children's daily diet needs to be calculated with appropriate, scientific and balanced nutrients and nutrients. Children should limit eating foods with a lot of sugar, fat, salt, fast foods, sugary drinks.
Along with that is to increase the diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables...
Enhance physical activity for children Should direct children to participate in fun, outdoor activities, exercise, encourage children Children are active and love, passionate, and practice certain sports.
Limit children sitting too long in front of the computer screen, watching TV, playing games,...
Reduce foods high in fat, salt and sugar These foods are very popular with children, in fast food , snacking, especially in today's modern life. Despite being busy, parents should limit their children from eating these foods too much, which not only easily causes high blood pressure but also greatly affects the health and development of children.
Coping with stress with children Children can also experience stress when the pressure of studying is too great, psychological stress and fatigue from parents, friends, family... Which is also the cause of increased risk hypertension, in both adults and children.
In general, the signs of hypertension in children are not clear, the best way for parents to detect the disease early is through periodic health checks, while monitoring and ensuring nutritional habits. Children's activities and sports are scientific and reasonable.
High blood pressure in children, if not detected and treated early, can lead to heart attack, kidney failure, stroke... extremely dangerous.