Nearly half of U.S. adults have the condition, according to the AHA, which can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke<\/u><\/span> and other events due to damaged arteries and plaque buildup.<\/p>\n WOMEN’S HEART DISEASE RISK COULD BE PREDICTED UP TO 30 YEARS IN ADVANCE WITH ONE BLOOD TEST, STUDY FINDS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Lead researcher Dr. Ahlia Sekkarie and her team analyzed the blood pressure and BMI (body mass index) of 2,600 children and teens between the ages of 8 and 19, obtained from the 2017 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.<\/p>\n New preliminary research from the American Heart Association found that about 14% of children and teens in the U.S. have high blood pressure or are at risk of the condition.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The researchers found that 8.7% of youths had elevated blood pressure (systolic pressure between 120 and 19 and diastolic pressure less than 80) and<\/strong> 5.4% had high blood pressure, or hypertension (systolic pressure between 130 and 139 or<\/strong> diastolic pressure between 80 and 89).<\/p>\n Blood pressure measurements were higher among boys compared to girls and continued to rise with age.<\/p>\n SLEEPING LONGER ON WEEKENDS COULD LOWER HEART DISEASE RISK BY 20%, STUDY FINDS<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Those with severe obesity<\/u><\/span> were found to have a greater prevalence of high blood pressure, while Hispanic youths had the lowest rate of elevated blood pressure.<\/p>\n This research is considered preliminary until full results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal, the release noted.<\/p>\n “Childhood is a great time to learn healthy habits to reduce these risks,” the lead study author wrote in a statement.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sekkarie, an epidemiologist in the division for heart disease and stroke prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, confirmed in a press release that hypertension can begin in childhood<\/u><\/span> and is a “risk factor for heart disease and stroke.”<\/p>\n “It’s important to monitor blood pressure in youth, because young people with heart disease and stroke risk factors are more likely to have cardiovascular disease as adults,” she warned. <\/p>\n For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com\/health<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n “Childhood is a great time to learn healthy habits<\/u><\/span> to reduce these risks.”<\/p>\n Although the research did not investigate the reason why pediatric hypertension rates are high, Sekkarie suggested that obesity could be a major risk factor, as one in five children in the U.S. is affected.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n High blood pressure can be managed or prevented through maintaining a healthy weight and eating a nutritious diet<\/u><\/span> that\u2019s high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats, according to the AHA.<\/p>\n The experts also recommended limiting sodium and alcohol, not smoking and staying physically active as a means of regulating blood pressure.<\/p>\n Blood pressure measurements were higher among boys compared to girls, the research found.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, told Fox News Digital that this study highlights the importance of starting screening at an early age.<\/p>\n “Young people with heart disease and stroke risk factors are more likely to have cardiovascular disease as adults.”<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n “Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol<\/u><\/span> is always important,” Serwer, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. <\/p>\n “If borderline blood pressure or high blood pressure is noted, the first-line therapy is always to assess the individual’s diet and make changes to lower the sodium intake.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Serwer added, “If there are questions regarding medication, I always recommend deferring to a pediatrician or pediatric cardiologist<\/u><\/span>.”<\/p>\n Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"pediatrician](\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/blood-pressure-is-higher-than-normal-for-1-in-7-kids-says-american-heart-association.jpg\")
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