Key Points:
International Society of Hypertension warns childhood high blood pressure is rising worldwide.
Led by Prof. Ruan Kruger and Prof. Joseph Flynn, experts from 12 countries issued new guidance.
Obesity, ultra-processed diet, inactivity and stress are major contributors.
Early screening and lifestyle changes are first-line treatment for most children.
Untreated paediatric hypertension increases lifelong heart and kidney disease risk.
A press release published on 12 February announcing a new international position paper in the Journal of Hypertension warns that high blood pressure among children and adolescents is increasing worldwide and should no longer be considered rare.
The guidance was issued by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and prepared by an expert panel of pediatric hypertension specialists from 12 countries, led by Prof. Ruan Kruger of North-West University and Prof. Joseph Flynn of the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Researchers say childhood hypertension is becoming a major public health concern because elevated blood pressure early in life strongly predicts cardiovascular and kidney disease in adulthood.
According to Prof. Kruger, children today face cardiometabolic risk factors earlier than previous generations due to modern lifestyles and widening health inequalities.
He emphasized that controlling blood pressure in childhood is an investment in lifelong health, as elevated readings often persist into adulthood and increase the risk of premature heart disease.
The position paper calls for continuous care across the lifespan, starting with early detection and regular monitoring during childhood.
Experts identified several major drivers contributing to the increase:
Childhood obesity
Diets high in salt and ultra-processed foods
Physical inactivity
Excessive screen time
Short sleep duration
Chronic stress
Adverse childhood experiences such as neglect or household dysfunction
The paper also warns that blood pressure in children is frequently measured incorrectly, leading to missed diagnoses. Researchers recommend validated automated devices designed specifically for pediatric use.
The guidance was designed to work in both high-income and low-resource healthcare settings.
Simplified and regular blood pressure checks should be introduced to improve early detection rates.
Most early cases can be managed through:
Healthier diet
Reduced salt and sugary drinks
Regular physical activity
Adequate sleep
Stress reduction
Medication is recommended only for severe hypertension, persistent high blood pressure, or children with additional conditions such as diabetes.
The burden is especially high in low- and middle-income countries, where access to healthy food, safe recreational spaces and healthcare services may be limited.
Researchers therefore developed adaptable recommendations so prevention strategies can be implemented worldwide.
Experts conclude that tackling high blood pressure during childhood is essential to preventing future heart and kidney disease.
ISH President George Stergiou said: “This ISH position paper is designed to be a practical, globally adaptable reference to help countries improve detection, diagnosis and management of hypertension in young people around the world. We hope it will help protect the long-term cardiovascular health of future generations.”
They stress that coordinated action from healthcare providers, families and communities is needed now, as early prevention offers the greatest opportunity to reduce lifelong cardiovascular risk.
(Rh/ARC)