Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
Related links
- Similars in SciELO
Share
Archivos de cardiología de México
On-line version ISSN 1665-1731Print version ISSN 1405-9940
Abstract
LOMELI, Catalina et al. Hypertension in children and adolescence. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2008, vol.78, suppl.2, pp.82-93. ISSN 1665-1731.
The epidemic of childhood obesity, the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy, and evidence of the early development of atherosclerosis in children would make the detection of and intervention in childhood hypertension important to reduce long-term health risks; however, supporting data are lacking. Secondary hypertension is more common in preadolescent children, with most cases caused by renal disease. Primary or essential hypertension is more common in adolescents and has multiple risk factors, including obesity and a family history of hypertension. Evaluation involves a through history and physical examination, laboratory tests, and specialized studies. Management is multifaceted. Nonpharmacologic treatments include weight reduction, exercise, and dietary modifications. Although the evidence of first line therapy for hypertension is still controversial, the recommendations for pharmacologic treatment are based on symptomatic hypertension, evidence of end-organ damage, stage 2 of hypertension, or stage 1 of hypertension unresponsive to lifestyle modifications, and hypertension with diabetes mellitus.
Keywords : Hypertension; Childhood; Cardiovascular disease.