Pediatricians warn: High blood pressure is on the rise in children, but it is often still undiagnosed I Guide

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That’s teenagers and even children High blood pressurehypertension, something not many people know about. Elevated blood pressure values ​​are often not obvious. So the disease can cause serious damage without being noticed at a young age, says pediatrician Robert Wagner.

I believe that as paediatricians we should pay more attention to high blood pressure as the problem is still too often overlooked.

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Children and adolescents generally have lower blood pressure values ​​than adults. They increase continuously with each year of life, according to size and sex. Therefore, the limit values ​​are calculated individually for children.

Blood pressure values ​​are given in the unit mmHg. The abbreviation stands for millimeters of mercury. In adults, a high blood pressure value of 140 mmHg and a lower blood pressure value of 90 mmHg or more is considered too high.

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Which leads to high blood pressure in children

Some medications can cause high blood pressure, for example against ADHD. Kidney or heart disease are also possible causes. Most of the time, however, the children are strong fat. The older they are, the more likely this is. Every extra kilo can increase blood pressure.

More and more children are obese

Pain often occurs along with little movement and wrong Nutrition forward. Data from the Commercial Health Insurance Fund showed in 2021 that the number of children aged 6 to 18 who were obese had increased by a third within ten years. Compared to people of normal weight, the risk of high blood pressure is more than ten times higher.

Three to five percent of children and teenagers have high blood pressure. It affects one in four people who are obese. Pediatrician Robert Wagner is also seeing more and more overweight children with high blood pressure in his practice.

I think unfortunately we are only at the beginning of development.

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Abnormal blood pressure values ​​in children are far too rarely detected because their blood pressure is rarely monitored. There are two main reasons for this: Parents and doctors rarely think about monitoring blood pressure without reason. In addition, blood pressure measurement is not part of the first examinations for children.

Criticism of pension rules

Measuring blood pressure is only an essential part of the examination from J1 between the ages of 12 and 14. Pediatricians criticize that high blood pressure remains undiagnosed for a long time. They recommend monitoring blood pressure regularly from the age of three onwards, at check-up appointments according to the yellow children’s check-up booklet.

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Consequences of undiagnosed high blood pressure in children and adolescents

Severe symptoms like Headachenausea or visual disturbances are rare in children and adolescents. However, for many, high blood pressure causes a condition over time Increased heart muscle. Without treatment, it gradually wears off — with far-reaching consequences, says Wagner.

Untreated high blood pressure can disrupt heart function in the long term.

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In the worst case, this could even lead to one heart attack in early adolescence. Other serious secondary illnesses are also possible, such as stroke or kidney failure.

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Treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents

If an underlying disease is the cause of high blood pressure, treatment is the first priority. For obese people, the initial focus is usually on changing their lifestyle.

Pediatricians recommend exercising more and changing your diet to less fast food, more fruits and vegetables to turn The goal is to reduce excess weight. For every kilogram lost, blood pressure drops 1 to 2 mmHg. If the changes are not affected after six months, additional antihypertensive medication can be prescribed.

Medicine for high blood pressure

The same medicines are used to lower blood pressure as in adults. These mainly include ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. But not all preparations are approved for children and adolescents. So they are not always available in a child-friendly dosage form.

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Children and adolescents should not be immediately treated with antihypertensive medication if their blood pressure levels are particularly high or if there is a risk of immediate organ damage.

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2024-11-26 05:17:00
#Pediatricians #warn #High #blood #pressure #rise #children #undiagnosed #Guide

Can you share a specific case that illustrates the impact of ⁢undiagnosed high blood pressure⁢ in a child and discuss the challenges you faced in addressing it?

## Open-Ended Questions for Pediatricians about High Blood Pressure in Children

This interview will⁤ focus on the rise of undiagnosed high blood pressure in children, a concerning trend highlighted by pediatricians.

**Thematic Sections:**

* **The Alarming Trend:**

* What factors are leading to this rise in undiagnosed high blood pressure ⁣among children?

‌ * How significant is this trend in your experience, and what are the potential long-term consequences‌ if ‌left unaddressed?

* **Challenges in Detection ‍and ‍Diagnosis:**

​ * What are the main hurdles in detecting high blood pressure in children?

* Are ⁤there specific age⁢ groups or demographics that are particularly ‌at risk?

* What changes could be⁢ made to improve early detection and diagnosis?

* **Lifestyle and Dietary Factors:**

⁣ * What lifestyle and dietary factors ⁣contribute to the development of high blood⁤ pressure ‍in children?

* What practical advice would you give ⁣parents to ‍encourage healthy ⁤habits from a young age?

* How can we work with schools and communities to ⁢create an environment that supports healthy eating and regular physical activity?

* **Long-Term⁣ Health Implications:**

* What are the potential long-term health consequences of undiagnosed⁤ and untreated high blood pressure in children?

‌ * How can we better educate parents and families about the seriousness of ⁤this issue?

* What role can pediatricians play in advocating for early intervention and preventive measures?

* **Solutions and Future Directions:**

* ⁣What steps can be ‍taken to ​raise awareness about this issue among parents, ⁣educators, and policymakers?

​ * Are there any promising​ research directions or innovative approaches being explored to address this growing problem?

‍ * How can we work collaboratively to ensure that all children have access to regular blood pressure⁣ screenings and early intervention‌ services?

**Open-Ended Questions to Encourage Deeper Discussion:**

* Can ‍you share a specific case that illustrates the impact of undiagnosed high blood pressure in a ​child?

* What role do you believe public health ‌campaigns and educational initiatives can play in addressing this issue?

* What are some of the biggest⁢ challenges you face in ⁢trying to promote healthy lifestyle choices among⁣ children and families?

* What message would you like to share with parents to encourage them to take their children’s blood pressure seriously?

* What ‍gives you hope for the‍ future in terms ​of addressing this growing health concern in children?

**Note:** Remember ⁢to adapt these⁢ questions to the specific expertise and‌ experience of the pediatricians being interviewed.