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. 2022 Jun;36(6):544-553.
doi: 10.1038/s41371-021-00535-2. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Blood pressure and resting heart rate in 3-17-year-olds in Germany in 2003-2006 and 2014-2017

Giselle Sarganas  1   2 , Anja Schienkiewitz  3 , Jonas D Finger  3 , Hannelore K Neuhauser  3   4
Affiliations

Blood pressure and resting heart rate in 3-17-year-olds in Germany in 2003-2006 and 2014-2017

Giselle Sarganas et al. J Hum Hypertens. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

To track blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate (RHR) in children and adolescents is important due to its associations with cardiovascular outcomes in the adulthood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine BP and RHR over a decade among children and adolescents living in Germany using national examination data. Cross-sectional data from 3- to 17-year-old national survey participants (KiGGS 2003-06, n = 14,701; KiGGS 2014-17, n = 3509) including standardized oscillometric BP and RHR were used for age- and sex-standardized analysis. Measurement protocols were identical with the exception of the cuff selection rule, which was accounted for in the analyses. Different BP and RHR trends were observed according to age-groups. In 3- to 6-year-olds adjusted mean SBP and DBP were significantly higher in 2014-2017 compared to 2003-2006 (+2.4 and +1.9 mm Hg, respectively), while RHR was statistically significantly lower by -3.8 bpm. No significant changes in BP or in RHR were observed in 7- to 10-year-olds over time. In 11- to 13-year-olds as well as in 14- to 17-year-olds lower BP has been observed (SBP -2.4 and -3.2 mm Hg, respectively, and DBP -1.8 and -1.7 mm Hg), while RHR was significantly higher (+2.7 and +3.7 bpm). BP trends did not parallel RHR trends. The downward BP trend in adolescents seemed to follow decreasing adult BP trends in middle and high-income countries. The increase in BP in younger children needs confirmation from other studies as well as further investigation. In school-aged children and adolescents, the increased RHR trend may indicate decreased physical fitness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) in KIGGS Wave 2.
Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) in mm Hg in children and adolescents from the KIGGS Wave 2 (2014–17) according to age group and body mass index (BMI) category.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in KIGGS Wave 2.
Mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in mm Hg in children and adolescents from the KIGGS Wave 2 (2014–17) according to age group and body mass index (BMI) category.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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