Teens & Blood Pressure

Many teenagers do not concern themselves with their health because they feel that they are too young to experience problems. However, that is not true in terms of blood pressure. Teenagers can have high blood pressure, just like adults. Additionally, teens who have problems with high blood pressure now are more likely to have severe problems as an adult. Regular doctor visits to monitor the issue are key to preventing problems.

Blood Pressure Key Terms

• Healthy hearts require normal blood pressure.

  To fully understand the problems associated with high blood pressure, people must understand the terms associated with the blood pressure readings. The higher number is called systolic pressure and represents the peak of each heartbeat, while the lower number is called diastolic pressure, which represents the resting heart pressure. A reading of 130/80 would have a systolic number of 130 and a diastolic number of 80. Understanding what those numbers represent shows teens that blood pressure is directly related to the heart. Therefore, problems with blood pressure can adversely affect the heart.

Normal Blood Pressure Under 18

• For children under the age of 18, blood pressure readings are based on percentile charts. If a child falls between the 90th and 95th percentile readings for blood pressure for his height and age, he is considered to be normal-high or pre-hypertension. If a child falls above the 95th percentile for blood pressure, she is considered to have hypertension. For example, as seen in the chart by the National Institute of Health, a 13-year-old in the 50th percentile of height is considered pre-hypertension if his systolic reaches 122. However, for a 17-year-old in the 50th percentile of height, she is not pre-hypertension until her systolic reaches 125.

Older Teenagers

• Eighteen- and 19-year-olds are categorized as adults when it comes to blood pressure. An optimal reading for adults is 120/80. However, readings up to 140/90 are not in the danger zone for those 18 and over, although it is considered high normal or pre-hypertension. As the numbers go higher, the health risks grow. At a reading of 180/110, the risk for heart attacks, kidney disease, strokes and death severely increase. On the other end of the spectrum, a reading below 50/35 can result in a coma or ultimately death.

Risk Factors and Consequences of Hypertension

• Teens who smoke, are overweight or obese, do not exercise and/or have a family history of hypertension are more likely to develop the disease. Sometimes the symptoms of hypertension do not manifest for years, but when they do they can be severe and include strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, loss of vision, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), headaches, dizziness, vision changes, nausea and nosebleeds. To treat the condition, doctors work with the patients by discussing an appropriate exercise routine, planning healthy meals and prescribing medications. Teens who take their condition seriously now are less likely to suffer from it in the future.

Hypotension

• On the other end of the spectrum is hypotension, or low blood pressure, which can be dangerous as well and can cause the person to go into a coma. Particular to teenagers is orthostatic hypertension, which is when the blood pressure suddenly drops more than 20/10 when the teen sits or stands up. As a result, the teen often becomes dizzy and might ultimately faint. Doctors are used to seeing the problem, but left untreated the problem can be serious because it can cause fainting and death. Treating the problem involves higher salt intake, drinking plenty of fluids, not quickly rising up from a reclined position and being aware of the symptoms before a serious problem occurs. However, teenagers with this issue need to discuss the problem with their doctor to formulate a proper individualized plan.