High BP in kids common now

Know how to prevent and tackle the serious issue

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INCIDENCE OF HIGH BP in children has doubled in the past 20 years, says a new study.

How alarming is this? Dr Varun Bansal, senior consultant, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, robotic surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, says: “An increase of high BP cases over the past two decades among children, adolescents and even young adults is a serious cause for concern. High blood pressure has traditionally been seen as a problem of older adults, yet it can quietly harm the body when it appears early in life. Whether it occurs in a school-going child, a teenager or a young adult juggling college or work pressures, it puts additional strain on the heart, kidneys and blood vessels at a time when these organs are still developing and strengthening. If left undetected, this early rise in BP increases the risk of premature heart disease, stroke and kidney complications in adulthood. The trend also reflects a significant shift in lifestyle patterns and dietary changes across all younger age groups. While the numbers do not imply that every young person is at risk, they highlight the urgent need for parents, schools, colleges and healthcare professionals to pay closer attention to the overall health habits of children, adolescents and young adults.”

No one measures BP of a child unless there are severe symptoms. So does the condition going unchecked contribute to its severity?