Adolescent Hypertension- Types, Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Complications

Introduction:

One common medical condition every other adult faces today is high blood pressure. But its incidence in adolescents and children is out of the ordinary. High blood pressure is alarming as it could lead to complications in the heart or might reveal a heart disease that is present already. The occurrence of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adolescents should constantly be kept in check and managed accordingly.

What Is Blood Pressure?

• The pressure exerted by the blood laterally against the artery walls while flowing through is called blood pressure.

• The highest and lowest pressures are recorded and formulated as systolic and diastolic, respectively. The average blood pressure value is 120/80 mm of Hg.

• Systolic blood pressure is recorded when the heart pumps the blood out of it, and diastolic pressure is when the heart relaxes after pumping and fills itself up with blood.

What Is Hypertension?

• When the pressure of the flowing blood on the arterial wall is higher, it is called hypertension or high blood pressure; and when low, it is named hypotension.

• Hypertension can show a rise in either systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, or both.

• If the pressure exerted during blood pumping from the heart is high, the systolic pressure value (the first value in the blood pressure level) will be high. In contrast, if the pressure during the relaxing phase of the heart is high, then the diastolic pressure value (the second number in the blood pressure levels) will be increased.

• Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure levels are more than 140/90 mm of Hg.

What Are the Types of Hypertension?

The two significant classifications of hypertension are primary and secondary hypertension.

Primary Hypertension:

• It is a common form of hypertension, primarily seen in adults. The cause of primary hypertension is often unknown and is also addressed as essential hypertension.

Secondary Hypertension:

• If the hypertension is due to any known cause, such as an underlying illness or any medications, it is secondary hypertension.

• The incidence of secondary hypertension is relatively less frequent.

• It is more common in younger individuals.

There are also four main stages of hypertension such as;

1. Normal (systolic pressure is less than 120 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm of Hg).

2. Prehypertension or elevated hypertension (systolic pressure ranges from 120 to 129 mm of Hg; also, the diastolic is less than 80 mm of Hg).

3. Stage 1 hypertension (systolic pressure goes between 130 to 139 mm of Hg, and the diastolic is from 80 to 89 mm of Hg).

4. Stage 2 hypertension (the systolic pressure level is more than or equal to 140, and the diastolic pressure should be more than or similar to 90 mm of Hg).

What Are the Risk Factors of Adolescent Hypertension?

• Obesity.

• Familial history of high blood pressure or cardiac diseases.

• Boys are more prone to hypertension in comparison to girls.

• Habits such as smoking or alcohol done by the mother during pregnancy can also be a risk factor for the child to develop hypertension.

• Premature birth, less birth weight, and complications during birth show a risk for hypertension.

What Are the Factors Responsible for High Blood Pressure in Children?

One of these factors could be the reason for adolescent hypertension;

• Kidney and cardiac heart-related disorders.

• Intake of drugs like cocaine or alcohol.

• Stress, anxiety, anger, or severe emotional distress happen for a more extended period.

• Hyperthyroidism or juvenile diabetes (diabetes in adolescents).

• Intake of medications such as steroids.

What Are the Factors That Influence Hypertension?

Sometimes the blood pressure levels are elevated for short periods after certain happenings like;

• High-intensity exercises or activities.

• The blood pressure shoots up after an emotional outburst due to stress, anger, etc.

• Blood pressure is usually low in babies and increases with growth like other bodily functions.

• The blood pressure varies with the children's growth patterns, build, etc.

• Blood pressure changes during the day due to various factors.

• Dehydration can cause high blood pressure.

What Are the Symptoms of Adolescent Hypertension?

• Adolescent hypertension is usually asymptomatic (free of symptoms) or unnoticed by the healthcare professional as it is less anticipated and is frequently noticed by accident.

• In the case of severe cases, hypertension presents with symptoms like nose bleeds, severe headaches, vomiting sensation, feeling drowsy, increased heartbeat, etc.

How to Diagnose Adolescent Hypertension?

• In most cases, adolescent hypertension remains unidentified and is ruled out accidentally when the vitals are recorded during health checkups.

• When the blood pressure is more than average in children, it should be recorded at least three times in a few intervals. The average is calculated as the current blood pressure level, and hypertension is ruled out.

• Children with hypertension are usually screened for underlying disorders through urinalysis, creatinine tests, blood urea nitrogen tests, etc.

How Is Adolescent Hypertension Treated?

Parents should ensure that children with elevated blood pressure levels follow;

• A proper healthy diet and lifestyle.

• Consuming healthy food rich in fibers, fruits, and vegetables. A diet low in sodium and refined sugars. Water intake in regular intervals throughout the day rather than juices and beverages.

• Avoid high cholesterol and junk foods.

• Parents should prompt their kids to participate in outdoor physical activities rather than playing mobile games, video games, television, etc.

• Stress reduction in children.

• Regular monitoring of the child's blood pressure.

In rare cases, when the conservative approach does not show much difference, hypertension might require medical intervention to avoid the risk of cardiac diseases, such as an intravenous antihypertensive under proper observation.

What Are the Complications of Adolescent Hypertension?

• Children who have adolescent hypertension acquire a high risk of suffering hypertension as adults.

• Cardiac problems, heart failure, and heart attacks can result from persistent hypertension.

• High blood pressure levels can also result in kidney-related problems.

• Stroke can be a complication too.

Conclusion:

Mostly, juvenile hypertension is manageable without medical intervention. Though it is a serious disease, adolescent hypertension can be prevented. It can be kept in a normal range efficiently by specific lifestyle changes such as a proper diet, involvement in physical activities, etc. Shortly, an altered lifestyle can keep blood pressure levels under control.