High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition
most often associated with adults. But kids can have high blood
pressure too, even as infants. High Blood Pressure in Kids An
estimated 3% of kids have high blood pressure. In babies, it's
usually caused by prematurity or problems with the kidneys or
heart. While hypertension is far more common among adults, the
rate among kids is on the rise, a trend that experts link to the
increase in childhood obesity. Many kids and teens with high
blood pressure have no other health problems but do have a
family history of hypertension and an unhealthy lifestyle — a
bad diet, excess weight, stress, and insufficient physical
activity. If it goes untreated, high blood pressure can
eventually lead to damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and
eyes. But if it's caught early, monitored, and treated, a child
with high blood pressure can lead an active, normal life.
Understanding Blood Pressure Blood pressure is the pressure the
blood exerts against the blood vessel wa