Children's Health

High Blood Pressure a Rising Risk for Kids, Teens

What's a Parent to Do?

Parents can help keep their children from developing blood-pressure-related problems by working with their doctor. It's especially important for doctors to check obese children for high blood pressure during their checkups, Steinbaum says.

If a child does have high blood pressure, this is a good time for the entire family to start making healthy lifestyle changes, she says, given that children of parents who are obese are much more likely to become obese themselves.

Diet and exercise changes can help address high blood pressure in children, Tran says. Other treatments for high blood pressure, if needed, can help keep these kids from going on to develop complications from it, she says.