Study Shows Global Hypertensɨon Boom In Children – Expert Decodes

Whenever we hear the word ‘hypertension’, we somehow picture it with a condition related to age. But the truth is, it is a very common condition in today’s day and age, and affects people of all age groups. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects the body's arteries. Recently, a study published by Lancet has made a shocking revelation related to hypertension. It stated that the prevalence of high blood pressure in children and teenagers under 19 has increased to 6.2% – rising from 3.2% in the period of just 20 years. The findings were based on a meta-analysis of data from 96 studies, and it involved more than 4,00,000 children across 21 countries. The study was published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal.

If you want to know what could be the reason behind this hypertension boom in children, then this article is for you. To get a better understanding on this topic, we reached out to our experts – Dr Roohi Khan, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Fortis Hospital, New Delhi and Dr Rahul Saraf, Consultant, Paediatric Cardiology, Jupiter Hospital, Pune. Keep reading.

Why Is Hypertension On The Rise Among Children?

Let us first attempt to understand what are the reasons that led to this hypertension boom among children and teens globally. Dr Khan lists down several factors which contribute to its increasing prevalence:

• Rising childhood obesity due to poor diet and reduced physical activity.
• Sedentary lifestyle — more screen time, less outdoor play.
• High salt and processed food consumption in modern diets.
• Stress and lack of sleep in children due to academic pressure or family/social issues.
• Early onset of chronic conditions like kidney disease or hormonal disorders.

“The situation is aggravated by environmental issues, such as urban pollution and inability to access free areas of play. Consequently, children have been exposed to risk factors that only adults before were considered to be exposed to, resulting in a pandemic of pediatric hypertension in the world and posing a long-term risk to heart and metabolic well-being,” adds Dr Saraf.

Dr Khan further emphasises that its causes can be classified as primary (essential) or secondary:

Primary hypertension — often linked to obesity, family history, and poor lifestyle habits.

Secondary hypertension — due to underlying medical conditions:

• Kidney disease (glomerulonephritis, congenital abnormalities)
• Endocrine disorders (thyroid problems, adrenal gland disorders)
• Heart defects (coarctation of the aorta)
• Certain medications (steroids, decongestants, chemotherapy drugs)

Common Symptoms Of Hypertension In Children

How can parents or elders in the house identify if their children are suffering from hypertension? Our expert shares some common symptoms, which can help you with this. “Children experience hypertension in a silent form with very minimal symptoms being noticeable at an early age,” says Dr Saraf.

Dr Khan lists down some possible signs:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Nosebleeds
• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
• Shortness of breath or chest pain (in severe cases)
• Many children are asymptomatic — regular screening is important.

Saraf adds, “The extreme forms may be in the form of seizures or a sudden change in behavior, which is a pointer of dangerously high blood pressure. This means that due to many of these symptoms similar to normal childhood complaints, hypertension is often not detected. It is thereby necessary to check blood pressure regularly, particularly in overweight children or those with a family history of cardiovascular or kidney disease.

Also Read: Hypotension vs Hypertension: Understanding the Highs and Lows of Blood Pressure

How To Diagnose Pediatric Hypertension?

In case you spot these symptoms in your children, the next right step is to get a medical diagnosis done. Dr Khan breaks down some methods of diagnosis:

• Accurate BP measurement using pediatric-appropriate cuffs; readings compared with charts based on age, sex, and height percentiles.
• Repeating measurements on several occasions to confirm diagnosis (to avoid ‘white coat hypertension’).
• Physical examination for signs of underlying disease.
• Laboratory tests: kidney function, urinalysis, blood glucose, lipid profile.
• Imaging: echocardiogram, renal ultrasound if secondary causes suspected.

How To Treat Pediatric Hypertension?

Can pediatric hypertension be treated? Yes, it can be. Here’s how.

“Pediatric hypertension treatment aims at treating the cause and the contributing lifestyle factors. The basis of therapy is weight management, better nutrition, physical activity and better sleep hygiene. In case secondary causes of the disorder (kidney or endocrine disorders etc) are recognised, specific interventions are needed,” explains Dr Saraf.

He adds, “When a change of lifestyle is not effective, antihypertensive drugs can be used selectively. Other factors that can be incorporated in management are lessening stress, shortening the duration of screen time, and establishing a routine schedule. Early and regular treatment can prevent the long-lasting damage of the developing heart, blood vessels and kidneys.”

Tips To Reduce Hypertension In Children

On this note, Dr Khan shares tips to reduce hypertension in children:

Lifestyle Tips:

• Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily — sports, cycling, walking.
• Limit screen time to less than 2 hours/day outside of schoolwork.
• Ensure adequate sleep based on age (8–11 hours/night).
• Reduce stress — promote recreational and family bonding activities.

Dietary Tips:

• Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins.
• Limit salt (processed food, chips, fast food).
• Avoid sugary beverages — prefer water or unsweetened drinks.
• Include healthy fats — nuts, seeds, fish instead of fried foods.
• Portion control to maintain healthy weight.

Also Read: Silent Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure: How To Detect High BP Before It’s Too Late

The Final Word

There is a growing trend of hypertension among children because of a combination of biological, lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors – all of which contribute to the fact that early-onset elevated blood pressure has become a new health issue in pediatrics.