Information on High Blood Pressure for Children 12 Years & Older

One just needs to look around today to see the rising problems of obesity in young children as well as teenagers. High blood pressure as well as high blood sugar have become major health issues with preteens as well as teenagers. Unfortunately many unhealthy teens often become unhealthy adults. There are solutions to help keep he blood pressure of preteens and teens in normal ranges.

• Get out and exercise.

Definition

• Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer and is measured in millimeters of mercury. Blood pressure is determined by a systolic reading that represents the top of each heartbeat. This is the top number. The diastolic is the lower number and is the pressure when the heart rests between each beat. There are two types of hypertension, according to kidshealth.org website. Essential blood pressure is when there is no specific health issue, except for lifestyle. There is secondary hypertension (high blood pressure) that can be the result of kidney problems, hormonal disorders and abnormalities in the main artery, aorta.

Normal Blood Pressure

• The normal blood pressure for kids up to age 18 is determined by comparing the blood pressure of other kids of similar ages. If the blood pressure is greater than the 95th percentile for kids by age, gender and height, this will determine high blood pressure. Kids with high blood pressure during these years are three times more likely to have hypertension as adults, states the kidshealth.org website.

Weight Control

• Controlling your kids weight after the age of 12 is not an easy thing. They are subjected to many outside influences at school and when they are with their friends. The best thing you can do is have healthy food selections at home and have an abundance of nutritious snacks when they arrive home from school. Fresh fruit, veggies with dip, baked chips and salsa are a few filling and low-calorie foods.

Exercise

• Make sure your kids get a lot of exercise. If they are active in school sports, that is one way to keep them on the move. Limit TV and computer games as much as you can. Encourage them to go out and play. Perhaps suggesting an after-dinner walk, weekend excursions and other activities when possible will help keep weight, as well as blood pressure, under control.

Sleep Issues

• Dr. Susan Redline, who is director of University Hospitals Sleep Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, has conducted many studies on kids and sleep. One of the studies, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, showed kids with poor quality and inadequate sleep were at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, as well as developing other health problems.