Teenage Blood Pressure

What is a Teenage Blood Pressure Chart?

Blood pressure can significantly change during adolescence as the body grows and develops. Typically, blood pressure in teenagers varies depending on various factors such as age, gender, genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Normal blood pressure values for teenagers fall within a range that accounts for age, height, and gender. For adolescents over the age of 13, the following parameters are considered:

• Elevated: 120 mm Hg Systolic and less than 80 mm Hg Diastolic to 129  / <80 
• Hypertension Stage 1: 130 mm Hg Systolic and 80 mm Hg to 139/89 mm Hg 
• Hypertension Stage 2: Greater than or at 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic

During puberty, hormonal shifts can affect blood pressure. For instance, the surge in growth hormone production can lead to temporary increases in blood pressure to facilitate the growth of bones and muscles. Factors like diet, physical activity, and body weight also play crucial roles in blood pressure regulation during adolescence. Medical practitioners will take multiple blood pressure tests before determining blood pressure status to mitigate the risk of the patient's blood pressure spiking due to the stress of being in the clinical setting. This false reading is referred to as white coat syndrome. 

Though less common, medical conditions can also influence blood pressure in teenagers. Kidney problems, hormonal disorders, or heart conditions can impact blood pressure readings and require medical attention. Regular check-ups and monitoring of blood pressure are important, especially if there's a family history of hypertension or other cardiovascular issues. Identifying and addressing high blood pressure early on can significantly reduce the risk of long-term health complications.

How Does It Work?

Step One: Gather your Resources

Blood pressure charts are a valuable resource and essential to keep on hand. Make sure that you have one when the need arises by either clicking the “Download Template” or “Use Template” button or by searching “ Teenage Blood Pressure Chart” on Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the website or app.

Step Two: Collate Essential Information

Fill out all essential patient information, including any relevant medical history that may impact the parameters. After conducting the blood pressure test, analyze the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure against the recommended parameters to determine what category the patient falls under and if there is any change or need for intervention.

Step Three: Store the Template Securely

After reviewing the results, you need to secure the blood pressure chart so that access is only granted to relevant parties. As blood pressure is a commonly recorded result, easy access to the blood pressure chart by a medical practitioner and the patient is essential.

Ensure this through Carepatrons HIPAA-compliant free patient records software. All relevant medical records can be safely stored and collated for ease and security.

When Would You Use This Chart?

A teenage blood pressure chart is a well-utilized tool used in a variety of healthcare settings by both medical practitioners and patients for various reasons, some of which are outlined below: 

Family history of high blood pressure

Genetics are closely linked to cardiovascular health and susceptibility to blood pressure conditions. A blood pressure chart is essential for a teenage patient with one or more family members with high blood pressure before age 60. The presence of biological hypertension increases the patient's risk of developing it by double. 

Obesity 

If the teenage patient has increased body fat compared to the age, height, and sex of their pairs, then high blood pressure may be of concern due to extra pressure placed on the developing kidneys.

Lack of physical exercise

Little to no exercise prevents heart health and strength, meaning that the lack of physical exercise places extra strain on the heart to pump blood throughout the patient's body. A blood pressure chart with a diet and fitness plan should be utilized in this scenario for the best medical outcome.

Diabetes 

Between 4% and 16% of adolescents and children with Type 1 diabetes have high blood pressure, and between 12% and 31% with Type 2 suffer from high blood pressure. The long-term damage to blood vessels and kidneys from high blood sugar can be managed by monitoring blood pressure alongside glucose levels. 

What do the Results Mean?

Should the patient present with high blood pressure after multiple tests, primary or secondary hypertension may be diagnosed. Adolescents and children who have high blood pressure yet no clear cause have primary hypertension, also commonly referred to as idiopathic or essential hypertension. The symptoms of this include a family history of high blood pressure and a body mass index greater than 25. This particular result is the most common high blood pressure in children. 

If there is an underlying issue causing high blood pressure, secondary hypertension is present. Kidney diseases such as renal parenchymal disease and renal structure abnormalities may contribute to the narrowing of arteries to one or both of the patient's kidneys, contributing to high blood pressure. Hormonal imbalances and congenital heart conditions may also contribute to a teenager presenting with high blood pressure. The consideration of any medication effects should also be made as some birth control and corticosteroids can increase levels. Blood pressure ranges for adolescents vary between institutions yet are commonly divided into three key sections as outlined below:

• Normal: The normal blood pressure reading of adolescents 13 or older is less than 120/80 mm Hg. 
• Hypertension Stage 1: 130 mm Hg Systolic and 80 mm Hg to 139/89 mm Hg 
• Hypertension Stage 2: Greater than or at 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic

In most cases, high blood pressure in teenagers will be addressed through lifestyle changes and education about heart-healthy activity and diet. Patients with chronic stress may have heightened levels, and medical intervention through medication may assist with this. Should lifestyle changes not impact the ranges over time, or if the teenager has other underlying conditions causing the high blood pressure readings, then medication such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers may be prescribed. 

Research & Evidence

Internationally, the prevalence of hypertension is one of the leading causes of preventable, premature death, and this dominating killer is being recognized as an increasing risk for the adolescent and child population as figures of obesity and pediatric hypertension increase (James et al., 2018). The influx of renal and cardiovascular incidents within this population is also a cause for concern, encouraging healthcare professionals to prioritize early and consistent blood pressure charts (Lurbe & Redon, 2016). 

Pediatric hypertension, a term that encompasses high blood pressure in both children and teenagers affects approximately 1 in 25 patients aged 12 to 19 and approximately 1 in 10 patients in this population have elevated blood pressure readings (Ashraf et al., 2020). It is more common to see high blood pressure in male teenagers, and research also shows that the risk of developing hypertension is increased for Hispanic and non-Hispanic black children and adolescents (CDC, 2020). 

Between 1990 and 2019, the worldwide prevalence of hypertension has doubled. However, fewer than half of those affected are diagnosed, and less than a quarter have their condition adequately managed (Danaei et al., 2009, Zhou et al., 2021). Disparities across the globe are evident, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where rates of diagnosis, treatment, and control of hypertension are lower (Zhou et al., 2021). There's compelling evidence suggesting that hypertension in childhood often continues into adulthood and is linked to premature cardiovascular and kidney diseases (Flynn et al., 2017). Hence, it's crucial to prioritize early identification and proper management of pediatric hypertension and further highlighting the need for an essential and regular use of a teenage-specific blood pressure chart. 

References

Ashraf, M., Irshad, M., & Parry, N. A. (2020). Pediatric hypertension: an updated review. Clinical Hypertension, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40885-020-00156-w

CDC. (2020, February 24). High Blood Pressure in Kids and Teens. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/youth.htm

Danaei, G., Ding, E. L., Mozaffarian, D., Taylor, B., Rehm, J., Murray, C. J. L., & Ezzati, M. (2009). The Preventable Causes of Death in the United States: Comparative Risk Assessment of Dietary, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors. PLoS Medicine, 6(4), e1000058. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000058

Flynn, J. T., Kaelber, D. C., Baker-Smith, C. M., Blowey, D., Carroll, A. E., Daniels, S. R., de Ferranti, S. D., Dionne, J. M., Falkner, B., Flinn, S. K., Gidding, S. S., Goodwin, C., Leu, M. G., Powers, M. E., Rea, C., Samuels, J., Simasek, M., Thaker, V. V., & Urbina, E. M. (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 140(3), e20171904. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-1904

James, S. L., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., Abbastabar, H., Abd-Allah, F., Abdela, J., Abdelalim, A., Abdollahpour, I., Abdulkader, R. S., Abebe, Z., Abera, S. F., Abil, O. Z., Abraha, H. N., Abu-Raddad, L. J., Abu-Rmeileh, N. M. E., Accrombessi, M. M. K., & Acharya, D. (2018). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1789–1858. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32279-7

Lurbe, E., & Redon, J. (2016). Isolated Systolic Hypertension in Young People Is Not Spurious and Should Be Treated. Hypertension, 68(2), 276–280. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.06548

Zhou, B., Perel, P., Mensah, G. A., & Ezzati, M. (2021). Global epidemiology, health burden and effective interventions for elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 18(18). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41569-021-00559-8