Hypertension - A Threat to our Children

If high blood pressure is not treated among children and adolescents, it can be a ticking time bomb, placing your child at risk of various systemic diseases

Highlights:

There is a rise in high blood pressure among children and adolescents
Every one in three or four children suffers from hypertension
‘25 by 25’ goal launched by the India //Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)

As per a recent survey, 35% of children aged 10–12 years and 25% of children above 13 years have hypertension, and with the present observations, it is evident that high blood pressure is occurring in almost one in three or four children, which is much higher than earlier estimates of about 7%.

High blood pressure is relatively silent, but it has grave consequences, as it is one of the major causes of heart-related diseases, including stroke, with these observations, it is clear that there is a greater prevalence of hypertension in adolescents.

Hypertension is a common cause of preventable global disease and death. Global hypertension prevalence has almost doubled in the past two decades, but less than 50% of the patients with hypertension are diagnosed, and less than 25% are sufficiently controlled ().

The study dispels the notion that hypertension is associated with affluence and will not occur in undernourished children, but elevated blood pressure is more prevalent in poor people than in the richest category. It also occurs with similar frequency in rural and urban areas.

Hypertension prevalence in underweight adolescents is also high, 32% in younger and 22% in older adolescents.

Pediatric Hypertension | High Blood Pressure in Children - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Pediatric hypertension or high blood pressure in children is usually caused by secondary reasons which need to be investigated and treated.

‘Most of the time, high blood pressure doesn’t cause any symptoms, but it can cause headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, nosebleeds, a fluttering or racing heartbeat, and nausea. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.’

Adolescent Hypertension: What is it?

In adolescents 13 years of age and older, elevated blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure of 120 to 129 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic, and hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher.

High blood pressure is a major long-term health condition and the leading cause of premature death among adults throughout the globe, including both developed and developing countries as well as less developed countries.

Pediatric Hypertension | High Blood Pressure in Children - Frequently Asked Questions
Do you know which doctor should you consult for Pediatric Hypertension. This and other commonly asked questions about this condition.

What Causes Hypertension in Children and Adolescents?

Primary high blood pressure in children and adolescents occurs primarily in children older than 13 years and has no known cause but is linked with various risk factors, including family history and a higher body mass index, where, due to a well-established childhood obesity epidemic, the population prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in the young is increasing.

Secondary high blood pressure occurs primarily in younger children and is most commonly caused by genetic disorders, renal disease, endocrine disorders, or cardiovascular abnormalities.

A higher prevalence of high blood pressure in rural areas may be due to rapid urbanization and a lower level of physical activity ().

What are the Risk Factors for Hypertension?

High blood pressure in childhood is commonly linked with other heart-related risk factors as well as obesity. Although death and cardiovascular disability do not occur in children with high blood pressure, considering the rates of verified high blood pressure and pre-high blood pressure in children and adolescents with no symptoms, high blood pressure should be considered a common long-term health problem in childhood ().

How to Personalize Treatment for Hypertension in Children?
Pediatricians had used a series of personalized trials to find a preferred method to treat hypertension in children.

The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) Launches ‘25 by 25’ Goal

The Health Ministry, the Indian Council of Medical Research, state governments, and WHO-India began a five-year initiative to monitor and treat hypertension.

This programme was launched in November 2017 and has expanded to 52 districts across ten states: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal.

India has committed to a ‘25 by 25’ goal that aims to reduce premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. One of the nine voluntary targets involves reducing the prevalence of high blood pressure by 25% by 2025.

How to Treat High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents?

High blood pressure can be controlled by making some lifestyle modifications for children and adults. Some of the lifestyle modifications and home remedies include:

Keeping an eye on a child’s weight.
Giving your child a healthy diet.
Decreasing the salt content in your child’s diet.
Encouraging physical activity.
Limiting screen time.

In severe cases, as per the doctor’s recommendation, medication can be prescribed to patients ().

References:

High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: Current Perspectives and Strategies to Improve Future Kidney and Cardiovascular Health - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35570999/)
Screening for High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33170248/)
Hypertension in children and adolescents: epidemiology and natural history - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19421783/)
Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent and Control Hypertension - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27721223/)

Source-Medindia