One in seven children has abnormally high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.

The AHA recommends that parents monitor their children's blood pressure levels.

Approximately 14% of U.S. children and adolescents have high blood pressure or are at risk for it, according to preliminary research.

According to the AHA, nearly half of U.S. adults have a condition that increases their risk of heart attack, stroke, and other events due to damaged arteries and plaque buildup.

The research led by Dr. Ahlia Sekkarie and her team examined the blood pressure and BMI of 2,600 kids aged 8 to 19 from the 2017 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

According to the study, 8.7% of young people had elevated blood pressure (systolic pressure between 120 and 19 and diastolic pressure less than 80), while 5.4% had high blood pressure, or hypertension (systolic pressure between 130 and 139 or diastolic pressure between 80 and 89).

Compared to girls, boys had higher blood pressure readings, which increased with age.

High blood pressure was more common among those with severe obesity, while Hispanic youths had the lowest rate of elevated blood pressure.

The research is still preliminary and awaits publication in a peer-reviewed journal, according to the release.

An epidemiologist from the CDC's heart disease and stroke prevention division in Atlanta confirmed that hypertension can start in childhood and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

She cautioned that young people with heart disease and stroke risk factors are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease as adults, so it's crucial to monitor their blood pressure.

"Learning healthy habits during childhood can minimize these risks."

Sekkarie proposed that obesity could be a significant risk factor for pediatric hypertension, given that one out of every five children in the U.S. is affected.

According to the AHA, managing or preventing high blood pressure can be achieved by maintaining a healthy weight and consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables while limiting saturated fats.

Experts advised limiting sodium and alcohol, rather than smoking and staying active, to manage blood pressure.

VitalSolution's Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer, emphasized the significance of early screening in a study, which he discussed with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Young people with heart disease and stroke risk factors are more likely to have cardiovascular disease as adults."

It is crucial to be aware of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, according to Serwer, who was not part of the study.

"The initial treatment for borderline or high blood pressure is always to evaluate the person's diet and reduce their sodium intake."

I always recommend consulting a pediatrician or pediatric cardiologist if there are any questions about medication.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.