Management of childhood hypertension: a guide for primary care physicians

Abstract

Prevalence of pediatric hypertension has increased with the onset of obesity epidemic. Early detection and treatment of childhood hypertension is important due to its link with atherosclerosis in adult life. Accurate measurement of blood pressure is the key for the management and physicians should make effort to rule out the possibility of anxiety associated and white coat hypertension before the final diagnosis of hypertension. Secondary hypertension is more common in children as compared to adults but essential hypertension is also common in older children and adolescents. The younger children with severe hypertension are more likely to have secondary hypertension. Non-pharmacologic treatment should be tried before instituting the pharmacologic treatment, unless patient is symptomatic and has severe hypertension.