CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta – Hypertension is not only experienced by adults. Member of the Nephrology Coordination Work Unit (UKK) of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Heru Muryawan said that high blood pressure can also occur in children.
He explained that there are a number of risk factors for hypertension in children, ranging from heredity to obesity. “If the risk factors in children are hereditary, for example if someone in their family has hypertension, usually the children or their descendants can, yes or no. But hypertension can occur,” said Heru in a media seminar attended online, Tuesday 6 February 2024.
Heru said children who have a family history of high blood pressure are at risk of experiencing a similar condition. Apart from that, congenital heart disease, lack of physical activity, and excessive consumption of salt, fat and sugar can also trigger hypertension in children.
Heru also reminded that children who are obese have a tendency to develop hypertension. Likewise, low birth weight children who are then given excessive food can increase the risk of hypertension at an early age. “So be alert if there is a risk, namely obesity, family history, low birth weight, you must be alert,” he advised.
As for the causal factors, he said, as many as 97.5 percent of hypertension in children is caused by kidney disease. Meanwhile, other causes include heart and blood vessel disease, neurological disease, hormonal disease, and psychological disease.
Heru further emphasized the importance of monitoring children’s health from an early age. Children with risk factors are advised to have their blood pressure checked every year from the age of three. “Basically, screening is done at the age of three years. It is measured that if it is safe then it is calm. But if at the age of three years there are risk factors, screening is recommended once every year,” he said.
Not only is it a child’s health problem, hypertension in childhood can also have an impact on adult health. Heru warned that if not treated properly, hypertension in children can continue into adulthood.
In dealing with risk factors, Heru suggests making lifestyle modifications, such as reducing weight for children who are obese, adopting a diet low in fat and salt, and giving babies exclusive breast milk. “Then there is also the intake of food that contains potassium and calcium. But you don’t need to think about it because if the food is in accordance with the food we eat, there is fat, there is protein, there are vegetables, there is animal protein, there are carbohydrates, that’s enough. Lastly, regular exercise ,” he said.
Editor’s Choice: Apart from hypertension, excess salt can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease
Hello Beautiful Friends, Come on, Update Information and Inspiration for Women Beautiful Telegram
2024-02-07 06:55:09
#Beware #Risk #Factors #Hypertension #Children #Matter #Heredity #Cantika.com
