Children also suffer from high blood pressure

This disease is the tenth cause of death in Ecuador. Control in children is essential.

Now that the pediatric controls it is essential to take pressure from minors as part of the routine check-up. Several conditions, diseases and disorders have been considered for years as predominant or only existing in adults and older adults, however, the scientific evidence has determined that children are not free from serious ailments.

Steven Urbano, 15 years old, attended a medical consultation for frequent dizziness and headaches. His doctor diagnosed him with high blood pressure. His hyperactivity picture has been identified as the cause of this disorder.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious disorder and is considered one of the leading causes of premature death in the world. In Ecuador it is in the top 10 causes of death. It also affects the child population and if it is not treated in time it could have consequences in adulthood.

Daniel Echeverría, pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist, explains that, “the arterial hypertension Systemic is not as frequent in children as it is in adults (…) but when they have it, you have to worry a little more ”. In Ecuador, 19.8% of the population between 18 and 69 years old is hypertensive, while the number in children is significantly reduced.

Obesity in children and cardiovascular risks

Hypertension in many cases is asymptomatic and can be reported at any age. In the case of children, one of the main causes of the sudden rise in pressure is obesity. “We are in a world in which nutrition is not the priority, which generates more cases of obesity in children, increasing cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure,” adds Echeverría.

According to National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), until 2018 obesity and overweight in children between 5 and 11 years old was 35.4% on a national scale. In these cases, where obesity has caused alterations in the arterial system, it is important that children have a nutrition plan, reduction of salt intake and a daily or weekly exercise routine.

In the case of Steven Urbano – a minor with hypertension – although he does not suffer from obesity, he comments that his doctor’s recommendations do not vary. A low-salt diet and frequent exercise have been the treatment that the doctor has prescribed so far.

Importance of pediatric controls

Hypertension can also appear as part of a hereditary or family picture, in which children require periodic medical check-ups. However, even without a family history, taking blood pressure as part of a routine check-up is essential.

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Normal blood pressure in children by Brigette Mancheno

“Many think that blood pressure is not measured in children because they assume that it is normal,” says Echeverría about this practice that should be mandatory at every medical appointment with the pediatrician. “You can take blood pressure from newborns. It is no excuse that they are children to stop taking the pressure ”, he comments.

This is a job with USFQ students.
Brigette mancheno

“In children it is rare to treat high blood pressure with medications. The first thing is to identify the cause ”, Daniel Echeverría, pediatric cardiologist

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommend that children have annual high blood pressure screenings starting at age 3 in their regular annual control visits.