ABC Medical Center > Diseases > High Blood Pressure in Children

What is high blood pressure in children?

10 December 2025

This refers to the increase in the pressure exerted by the blood against the artery walls, placing it in a range above the average for children of the same age, height, and sex.

It often occurs for the same reasons as in adults, including:

  • Obesity.
  • Overweight.
  • Lack of physical activity.
  • Poor nutrition.

However, in young children, it may be due to the presence of specific pathologies.

High blood pressure or hypertension in children has several causes, the main ones being:

  • Congenital heart abnormalities.
  • Heart problems.
  • Kidney failure.
  • Nervous system problems.
  • Thyroid problems.
  • Hormonal disorders.

However, there are a number of conditions that can favor the onset of this condition, such as:

  • Family history of high blood pressure.
  • Sleep apnea.
  • Certain drugs.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Premature birth or low birth weight.
  • High blood sugar levels.
  • Obesity.
  • Overweight.

Signs and symptoms High Blood Pressure in Children

  • Seizure episodes.
  • Headache.
  • Chest pain.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Palpitations.
  • Vomiting.

Diagnosis and treatment High Blood Pressure in Children

Once the doctor analyzes the symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical exam on the child and request a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as blood and urine tests, echocardiography, ultrasound, and ambulatory monitoring.

The treatment involves lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of complications through lifestyle and diet changes, as well as certain medications.

At the Pediatric Center, we provide specialized care to young patients from the moment of birth until they become adults, through our pediatric, oncology, neurology, and cardiology services at the level of the best medical centers in the world.

Related centers and departments High Blood Pressure in Children

Pediatrics Center
Internal medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • healthychildren.org
  • nicklauschildrens.org
  • kidshealth.org
  • analesdepediatria.org
  • stanfordchildrens.org
  • mayoclinic.org
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • Morales HA, Casas CG, González REF. Diagnóstico del riesgo de hipertensión arterial en niños aplicando sistemas neuroborrosos. Revista Cubana de Informática Médica. 2019;11(1):33-46.
  • Vera RDA, Hernández MMC. Hipertensión arterial en la edad pediátrica. Universidad Médica Pinareña. 2019;15(1):21-28.
  • Garí LM, García NY, Chávez GE, et al. Hipertensión arterial en la infancia. Factores de riesgo antropométricos relacionados con su presencia. Acta Med Cent. 2018;12(4):455-460.

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