High Blood Pressure Putting More Kids in Hospital
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: June 19, 2012
New research shows high blood pressure is landing more children in the hospital.
The study in the Journal Hypertension finds the number of hospital stays nearly doubled for kids under 18 between 1997 and 2006. Children most at risk were more than nine years old, boys and African-American
High blood pressure in children can cause irreversible damage to the heart, kidneys and eyes, and set them up for cardiovascular disease as an adults
High blood pressure can often go undiagnosed. It's recommended that doctors start measuring a child's blood pressure at age three.
Experts say the rise in childhood obesity may be behind the recent jump in hospital stays for high blood pressure.
The study in the Journal Hypertension finds the number of hospital stays nearly doubled for kids under 18 between 1997 and 2006. Children most at risk were more than nine years old, boys and African-American
High blood pressure in children can cause irreversible damage to the heart, kidneys and eyes, and set them up for cardiovascular disease as an adults
High blood pressure can often go undiagnosed. It's recommended that doctors start measuring a child's blood pressure at age three.
Experts say the rise in childhood obesity may be behind the recent jump in hospital stays for high blood pressure.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.