Teenage Blood Pressure

The importance of keeping normal blood pressure range in teenagers

Maintaining healthy blood pressure in children and adolescents prevents long-term cardiovascular complications. High blood pressure during adolescence can lead to significant health risks, including early-onset heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blood vessel damage (Robinson & Chanchalani, 2022).

According to Flynn et al. (2017), approximately 1 in 25 youths aged 12-19 have hypertension. Prolonged elevated blood pressure increases the likelihood of organ damage and arterial thickening by early adulthood. Blood pressure in children should be closely monitored, with normal blood pressure for teenagers defined as less than 120/80 mm Hg (Riley et al., 2018).

An elevated blood pressure reading occurs when systolic blood pressure ranges from 120–129 mm Hg with diastolic blood pressure below 80 mm Hg, while hypertension is defined as systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg (Riley et al., 2018).

Early detection and management of abnormal readings are essential, as persistently high levels force the heart to work harder, raising the risk of severe conditions later in life.

What is a Teenage Blood Pressure Chart?

A Teenage Blood Pressure Chart is a clinical tool used to assess and classify adolescent blood pressure levels. It helps healthcare professionals determine if a teenager’s blood pressure falls within the normal range or indicates potential hypertension. The chart is based on standardized blood pressure classification categories that account for age.

For teenagers aged 13 and older, blood pressure values align with adult thresholds, where elevated readings may indicate the need for a high blood pressure diagnosis. Persistent hypertension in adolescents can damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of developing kidney or heart disease later in life. Measuring blood pressure accurately and using the chart to interpret results is crucial for early detection and management of a child’s high blood pressure.

How does it work?

Healthcare professionals can use Carepatron’s Teenage Blood Pressure Chart to assess and classify a patient’s blood pressure efficiently.

Step 1: Access the chart

Click the “Use template” button to immediately access the Teenage Blood Pressure Chart. This will lead you to Carepatron’s platform, where you can utilize the template directly. The tool is designed for quick integration into your workflow, allowing you to assess and document blood pressure values with ease.

Step 2: Introduce the chart to the patient

Briefly explain the chart's purpose to the patient, emphasizing its role in evaluating their blood pressure classification. Clarify that understanding their blood pressure measurement is key to monitoring cardiovascular health and preventing conditions like kidney or heart disease. Maintain a professional yet approachable tone during this discussion.

Step 3: Discuss the blood pressure values to the patient

Review the patient’s blood pressure values using the chart, highlighting deviations from the normal range. Explain how stress, obesity, or certain medications may raise blood pressure. If elevated or hypertensive readings are present, discuss the implications and the need for further evaluation or a potential high blood pressure diagnosis.

Step 4: Provide more patient education and next steps

Offer educational resources on lifestyle modifications, risk factor management, and when to seek further care. If the patient’s readings suggest a child’s high blood pressure, outline diagnostic steps and monitoring plans. Encourage follow-ups to assess progress and adjust interventions, prioritizing long-term heart and blood vessel health.

Reasons for blood pressure spike in teenagers

Blood pressure spikes in teenagers can result from various factors that influence blood pressure values and disrupt the normal range. Identifying these causes is essential for addressing high blood pressure readings and developing appropriate management strategies.

Obesity

Obesity is a leading cause of elevated blood pressure in teenagers (Flynn & Falkner, 2011). Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, can compress the kidneys, reducing their ability to regulate fluid and sodium balance. This leads to primary hypertension, which is common in adolescents with a child's blood pressure percentile above the normal range. Weight management through a balanced diet and regular physical activity is crucial for helping lower blood pressure.

Underlying health conditions

Certain medical conditions contribute to secondary hypertension in teenagers (Hegde & Aeddula, 2023). Diseases such as chronic kidney disease, heart defects, diabetes, and endocrine disorders like hyperthyroidism can cause persistent high blood pressure readings.

Medications

Some medications can increase blood pressure values in teenagers. Common culprits include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Grossman et al., 2015) and hormonal contraceptives.

Substance abuse

Substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine, can lead to high blood pressure episodes not only in teenagers but in adults as well (Ferdinand, 2000). These substances constrict blood vessels, increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.

Stress and anxiety

Psychological factors like stress and anxiety can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure values (Mucci et al., 2016). School pressures, family issues, and social stressors are common triggers in teenagers. Persistent stress can lead to elevated blood pressure.

Genetics

Family history plays a significant role in the development of primary hypertension (Lawler et al., 1998). Teenagers with parents or close relatives who have hypertension are at higher risk of elevated blood pressure values.

References

Ferdinand, K. C. (2000). Substance abuse and hypertension. Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 2(1), 37–40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11416624/

Flynn, J. T., & Falkner, B. E. (2011). Obesity hypertension in adolescents: Epidemiology, evaluation, and management. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 13(5), 323–331. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00452.x

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

Grossman, A., Messerli, F. H., & Grossman, E. (2015). Drug-induced hypertension – An unappreciated cause of secondary hypertension. European Journal of Pharmacology, 763, 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.06.027

Hegde, S., & Aeddula, N. R. (2023). Secondary hypertension. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544305/

Lawler, K. A., Kline, K., Seabrook, E., Krishnamoorthy, J., Anderson, S. F., Wilcox, Z. C., Craig, F., Adlin, R., & Thomas, S. (1998). Family history of hypertension: A psychophysiological analysis. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 28(2), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-8760(97)00097-4

Mucci, N., Giorgi, G., De Pasquale Ceratti, S., Fiz-Pérez, J., Mucci, F., & Arcangeli, G. (2016). Anxiety, stress-related factors, and blood pressure in young adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, Article 1682. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01682

Riley, M., Hernandez, A. K., & Kuznia, A. L. (2018). High blood pressure in children and adolescents. American Family Physician, 98(8), 486–494. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2018/1015/p486.html

Robinson, C. H., & Chanchlani, R. (2022). High blood pressure in children and adolescents: Current perspectives and strategies to improve future kidney and cardiovascular health. Kidney International Reports, 7(5), 1023–1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2022.02.018