What Is the Normal Blood Pressure for a Child?

Parents work to make sure their children are as healthy as possible. Understanding the normal blood pressure for a child can help parents recognize when there is cause for concern.

Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure is the rate at which blood presses against the walls of the arteries while moving. Medical personnel write blood pressure as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure, such as 120/80. The first number is the pressure during the heart beat, and the second is the pressure when the heart is at rest.

Age

• Blood pressure in children varies by age. While the normal blood pressure for adults is about 120 over 80, children don't reach that range until their teenage years. A 1-year old's systolic pressure is typically between 80 and 90. A 5-year-old's systolic pressure is between 90 and 100, and a 10-year-old's is between 95 and 105.

Percentile

• The normal blood pressure for children also varies based on the "percentile" they are in. Percentile is a child's size in relation to other children of the same age. For example, children who fall in the 75th to 95th percentile will likely have a higher normal blood pressure rate than those in the 50th percentile.

Hypertension

• "Hypertension" is the medical term for high blood pressure, which can damage the heart. About 5 percent of children have high blood pressure. While symptoms may not be present in a child, it can cause health problems as an adult.

Readings

• A child's activity level or nervousness at the time of a blood pressure reading will affect the results. The best blood pressure measurement occurs when a child is as rest and calm.