Hypertension affects up to 5% of children
High blood pressure can affect children and adolescents, and health awareness is growing, but there are still many myths about it. Hypertension is a common condition that can lead to serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke. Old age is a risk factor, but children and young people are also at risk. Blood pressure isn't always checked on small patients, but it can be a sign of a serious condition that is "hidden." High blood pressure should be checked not only in adults. Here are the facts and myths about high blood pressure in children. MYTH 1. Children cannot have high blood pressure Children can have high blood pressure, with as many as one in 25 people aged 12-19 having it and 1 in 10 having prehypertension. Blood pressure norms for children are different from those for adults and should be based on gender, age and height. MYTH 2. Children do not need to have their blood pressure checked Blood pressure should be regularly chec...