Silent Hypertension Poses Health Risks for Children and Adolescents Worldwide

A recent study has indicated that hypertension rates among children and adolescents have doubled in the last twenty years, raising concerns about the health of future generations.

Published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, a journal focused on pediatrics and adolescent health, the study found that approximately 3% of children had hypertension in 2000. By 2020, this figure had risen to 6%, translating to around 114 million individuals under the age of 19.

Research teams from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and Zhejiang University in China identified obesity as the leading cause of hypertension in young people, with 20% of obese children affected compared to those of normal weight, representing an increase of up to eight times.

The findings also revealed that 9% of children exhibit hidden symptoms of hypertension, meaning their blood pressure may appear normal during medical visits but can spike at other times. Additionally, 8% of young individuals show early signs of the condition, indicating their blood pressure is above normal, which increases the likelihood of developing hypertension later in life.

The study analyzed 96 research articles involving over 443,000 children across 21 countries, making its results broadly applicable and reliable.

One of the participating researchers stated that these findings "serve as a wake-up call for health authorities." He noted that the positive aspect is that enhancing monitoring mechanisms and preventive efforts can alter this troubling trend.

This study underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and monitoring blood pressure from an early age to mitigate the risks associated with this silent condition that threatens the future of children and adolescents.