High Blood Pressure in Kids: What Is Happening in The UK and How To Control The Situation

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is commonly considered a problem for adults. However, a sense of urgency has developed among doctors after a study by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal published in November 2025 revealed that the prevalence of high blood pressure in children and adolescents has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

This revelation has led to a demand from leading doctors in the United Kingdom (UK) for a nationwide monitoring programme for school children. Medical professionals are concerned, as high blood pressure in teenagers and children is increasing the risk of organ damage, heart attacks, and strokes once they reach their 30s and 40s.

According to the largest review of its kind by The Lancet, cases have increased to 6.2%, rising from 3.2% in those under the age of 19 over the last two decades. This has raised alarms about a global risk that is not being adequately addressed. To understand why there is a growing concern among doctors, what is driving this sharp rise, and how the situation can be controlled, we spoke to Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar, Consultant- Internal Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital. Continue reading to know more details.

The Lancet Study and Why Doctors Are Concerned in the UK

In general, hypertension is pictured as a condition affecting middle-aged people in their 30s or 40s. However, changing and sedentary lifestyles have made it a common problem among kids and teenagers as well. Reports indicate that children were never the focus of the blood pressure crisis, and no routine testing was performed to understand the depth of this health problem.

According to reports, doctors in the UK are now demanding a nationwide testing programme to understand the extent of the problem and identify who needs the most help.

Speaking about the situation, Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar noted that this problem in children is leading to more severe illnesses and chronic health issues by the time they reach adulthood. Identifying children with hypertension will help mitigate the danger of future organ damage and other potentially life-threatening cardiovascular diseases.

The Lancet study findings are based on a meta-analysis of 96 existing studies from 21 countries, involving more than 400,000 children. The report also highlighted the need to track prehypertension, which occurs when blood pressure levels are higher than normal but have not yet reached the stage of hypertension. Children with prehypertension are significantly more likely to experience severe hypertension and related health concerns later in life.

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What Exactly Is Hypertension?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries consistently remains too high. According to Dr Kumbar, “In children, it isn't measured through one specific number, as it would be for an adult, but through how their blood pressure compares with their age, height, and gender.”

When a child’s blood pressure consistently stays above the healthy levels for their specific age group, it is identified as hypertension. Due to various environmental and lifestyle factors, this condition, once limited to older generations, has become common among the youth, including children and teenagers.

Since most cases of hypertension in children do not exhibit any obvious signs or symptoms, it is often identified as a ‘Silent Killer’.

Why Are Cases of Hypertension Rising in Children?

Dr Kumbar stated that there is a noticeable rise in paediatric hypertension, which is largely attributed to lifestyle changes. He further explained the most common factors contributing to this rise:

• Children today are less physically active and spend a significant amount of time in front of screens.
• There is a high consumption of processed foods and excess salt, often found in instant meals and snacks.
• The rise in the childhood obesity epidemic is a major contributing factor to paediatric hypertension.
• An increase in stress and depression cases among teenagers, often due to academic pressure or social media anxiety, also plays a role.

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How Is It Harmful?

Dr Kumbar emphasises that hypertension is the root cause of several deadly diseases. Developing high blood pressure in childhood increases these risks and, consequently, the mortality rate as well. Here are a few consequences shared by Dr Kumbar:

• Hypertension can cause silent damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.
• It can cause heart muscles to thicken, blood vessels to narrow, and kidneys to malfunction.
• A child with blood pressure problems is at high risk of continuing to have hypertension into adulthood, potentially facing cardiovascular diseases and strokes a decade earlier than expected.

"Most disturbing is the fact that the damage can occur before any symptoms appear," he further noted.

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Ways to Manage Hypertension in Children

Early detection and regular screening are the most crucial steps to managing potential health concerns on time. Dr Kumbar mentioned that early intervention is vital. "Moreover, screening blood pressure during paediatric consultations, especially in overweight children or those with a family predisposition, is a crucial practice."

Apart from a clinical diagnosis, Dr Kumbar suggested focusing on lifestyle modifications as the first approach to management:

• Engaging in daily physical activity addresses the obesity issue, which is one of the major causes of hypertension in children.
• Limiting the hours spent on digital devices and screens opens the door to being involved in other mental and physical activities.
• Ensuring the child gets consistent and good-quality sleep helps manage several symptoms of high blood pressure.
• Moving towards a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, prioritising home-cooked meals.
• Cutting down on salt consumption as well as junk food is one of the most crucial steps to managing hypertension.
• If these changes are insufficient, or in cases of existing organ damage, pharmacological therapies are also considered by physicians

Conclusion

The demand from doctors for nationwide hypertension screening among children in the UK highlights the medical fraternity’s deep concern regarding this rising issue. As per The Lancet study findings, children are now at as high a risk of hypertension as adults. Furthermore, prehypertension also requires the same level of attention to ensure overall well-being.

Altogether, high blood pressure has become an epidemic affecting people of all ages and genders across the world. However, the good news is that it can be managed and prevented with conscious lifestyle choices.