Each year, we treat approximately 400 children for mild to severe hypertension. By conducting advanced diagnostics, we take into account much more than blood pressure numbers, investigating possible underlying conditions and lifestyle habits that might influence hypertension.
Blood pressure occurs naturally as the heart pumps blood through the arteries to the body, but when the pressure is too high, it can lead to problems. When left untreated, high blood pressure (hypertension) can damage almost every organ, but especially the arteries, heart, kidneys, and eyes, later in life. With early and effective treatment, long-term complications can often be avoided.
Our tailored treatment plans are proactive and multifaceted, supporting your child’s health in all areas of life. We manage hypertension with a combination of lifestyle support (diet, exercise, and mental health support) and medication when needed, ensuring just the right dose of the right medication to achieve the best results.
Hypertension
- Primary hypertension may be due to lifestyle habits, such as poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and emotional and social stress. Hypertension rises with obesity, and obesity in children has steadily increased over the past 50+ years.
- Secondary hypertension is linked to an underlying medical condition, such as heart, kidney, or liver disease. Even newborn babies can have hypertension, especially those born prematurely.
Related conditions
There are several conditions that may result in high blood pressure. The following are common conditions that we treat:
- Kidney disease is the most common cause of secondary hypertension in children because it disrupts the balance of hormones that regulate salt and water retention, among other physiological processes.
- Congenital heart disease can result in hypertension, especially when it involves a narrowing of the aorta or arteries.
- Adrenal disorders disrupt a hormone called aldosterone, which causes excessive salt and water retention in the kidneys.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypertension are related because the thyroid hormone plays a role in regulating blood pressure.
- Obstructive sleep apnea closes the airway momentarily on and off during sleep, which affects blood pressure and may put children at three times the risk for hypertension when they become adolescents.
- Drugs/medications, including decongestants, NSAIDs, steroids, and ADHD medication, and street drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine, can disrupt blood pressure.
