High Blood Pressure in Children

Your blood pressure is the measurement of pressure or force inside your blood vessels as blood pushes through. High blood pressure means the force is higher than normal levels. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. High blood pressure in children and teens is called pediatric hypertension.

About 1 in 25 kids ages 12 to 19 have hypertension. About 1 in 10 has elevated blood pressure (formerly known as prehypertension).

High blood pressure is more common in boys and children assigned male at birth (AMAB) than girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB). It’s also more common in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children compared to non-Hispanic white children.

High blood pressure is more common in children older than 12.

Over time, high blood pressure can damage a child’s organs because their heart and blood vessels aren’t delivering blood to their organs the way they should. This can damage a number of organs, including their heart, kidneys and eyes. Because of this, it’s essential to diagnose and treat pediatric hypertension as soon as possible.

Symptoms

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Diagnosis & treatment

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