| Although you may find it surprising that Cold and | | | | be oblivious to the condition until your child begins |
| flu medication can increase blood pressure, you | | | | to exhibit the signs and symptoms including visual |
| may be even more surprised to learn that high | | | | problems, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and |
| blood pressure is becoming more and more | | | | shortness of breath. Usually by the time these |
| common among children. In fact, it is estimated | | | | sings become present, the child is suffering from |
| that nearly 5% of American children suffer from | | | | a sever case of high blood pressure. |
| hypertension. | | | | How can hypertension be prevented in children? |
| Why do so many children suffer from high blood | | | | Aside from taking your child for regular blood |
| pressure? There are different reasons such as: | | | | pressure checkups, you can help them maintain a |
| - Birth complications - babies who have high blood | | | | healthy blood pressure level and prevent |
| pressure are often born premature or have | | | | hypertension, even if the condition is hereditary, |
| problems with their heart or kidneys | | | | by - |
| - Heredity - There is a history of high blood | | | | - Providing a healthy diet - Limit processed and |
| pressure in the family | | | | high fat foods, as well as sugar and caffeinated |
| - Unhealthy lifestyle - Many children live a | | | | beverages. Make sure your child is receiving plenty |
| sedentary lifestyle and eat poor diets, causing | | | | of water and the necessary portions of foods |
| them to become overweight and experience | | | | that contain the essential nutrients they need to |
| unnatural stress. | | | | help them grow and stay healthy. |
| An unhealthy lifestyle is the leading cause of high | | | | - Encouraging exercise - Make sure your child |
| blood pressure in children. Many children have | | | | exercises every day by bicycling, running, |
| become obese from eating a diet rich in high | | | | swimming, dancing, engaging in sports, etc. |
| fatty processed foods, and consuming high sugar | | | | - Reducing their exposure to secondhand smoke - |
| and caffeinated beverages such as soda. | | | | If you or anyone in your home smokes, it's time |
| Furthermore, children of today are much more | | | | to quit. Frequently exposing your child to the |
| content sitting in front of a TV or computer for | | | | nicotine in second hand smoke increases their |
| hours on end. | | | | blood pressure. |
| Due to the fact that they are consuming too | | | | Essentially, ensuring that your child lives a healthy |
| much fat and are failing to burn it off, this creates | | | | lifestyle also means adopting a healthy lifestyle |
| many health problems including high blood | | | | yourself. You can't expect your child to make |
| pressure, which can lead to heart failure, kidney | | | | healthy choices without your guidance. You are |
| disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in | | | | their role model. |
| children. | | | | Finally, remember that even if your child is |
| Like adults, children should have their blood | | | | overweight but doesn't have high blood pressure, |
| pressure checked on a regular basis, starting at | | | | it is still imperative that you do everything you |
| the age of 3. Regular blood pressure checks will | | | | can to help them attain their ideal weight by |
| be different depending on the health of the child in | | | | ensuring better eating habits and exercise. The |
| question. If you discover that your child's blood | | | | reason is because children who are overweight |
| pressure is higher than normal, they should have | | | | have a dramatically higher risk of developing high |
| their blood pressure checked again in 6 months. | | | | blood pressure and dangerous health complications |
| It is imperative that you have your child's blood | | | | such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke |
| pressure monitored regularly, because if it is not | | | | when they become overweight adults. |
| checked and he or she has hypertension, you will | | | | |