Blood pressure and kids
Children have different blood pressure readings compared to adults. Values can vary depending on age, gender, height, and weight.
Who should take blood pressure readings in children and adolescents?
- Pediatricians
- Any family practice physician who sees children
- Any medical practice, including dentists, that treats children
- Any facility including emergency departments, after hours clinics, and walk in clinics that treats children
ALL CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF 3 SHOULD HAVE ROUTINE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS
How do you know if its hypertension?
For a child to be given a diagnosis of hypertension, they must have three separate elevated blood pressure readings. One elevated measurement does not necessarily mean your child has high blood pressure. However, it is enough to warrant having additional readings to rule out hypertension .If your child's healthcare provider does not routinely take their blood pressure, don't be afraid to ask. Your child's health is important enough to speak up. The NPBPAF is working hard so that one day soon it will not be up to you to ask. It will be done automatically just as height and weight are routinely measured.