Despite popular belief, teens, children and even babies can have high blood pressure. It's not just a disease for the middle-aged and elderly. As with adults, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce or prevent the harmful consequences of this disease.

The American Heart Association recommends that all children have yearly blood pressure measurements. Detecting high blood pressure early will improve a child's health.

	Gender
	Age
	Height

Your child's doctor can tell you what's right for your child, because "normal" is a complicated calculation based on these factors.

	Diseases including heart and kidney disease Certain diseases can cause high blood pressure in children as well as adults. As with all types of secondary hypertension, once the underlying problem is fixed, blood pressure usually returns to normal.
	Some medications Certain medicines can cause high blood pressure, but when they're discontinued, blood pressure usually returns to normal. This is another example of secondary hypertension.
	Contributing factors In a lot of cases, doctors cannot determine the direct cause of HBP in the child. This type of HBP is known as primary or "essential" hypertension. Even though the exact cause is not diagnosed, doctors realize a variety of factors can contribute to the disease, including: –  Family history –  Excess weight or obesity –  Race, particularly African-Americans are at increased risk

	Enjoying heart-healthy diet
	Participating in regular physical activity
	Managing weight

Children and teens should also be taught the dangers of tobacco use and protected from secondhand smoke. While cigarettes aren't directly related to high blood pressure, they do cause a number of health risks. Parents should set a good example by not smoking and educating their children about the hazards of smoking.

The doctor may also prescribe medication if an appropriate diet and regular physical activity don't bring the high blood pressure under control.

Give your kids the best possible start by helping them develop heart-healthy habits early. Learn how!

Age, body size and the degree of sexual maturation determine blood pressure levels in adolescence. Heavier and more sexually mature teenagers tend to have higher blood pressure.

According to research, teenagers who are obese and have high blood pressure may develop thicker arteries by age 30. Fatty buildups in artery walls can lead to a variety of health problems including heart disease and stroke. To help manage children's health risks, parents should partner with the family doctor to:

	Help boys and girls manage their own weight and make healthy choices as adolescents
	Discover ways to support and build new habits if the child is already overweight

Learn more about preventing and managing childhood obesity.

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/19/2009.