Document Type
Review
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Description
Primary hypertension in children is increasing in prevalence with many cases likely going undiagnosed. The prevalence is currently estimated at between 3%-5% in the United States and may be higher in certain ethnic groups. Primary hypertension once felt to be rare in children is now considered to be about five times more common than secondary hypertension. This review provides information to guide physicians through an organized approach to: 1) screening children and adolescents for hypertension during routine visits; 2) using normative percentile data for diagnosis and classification; 3) performing a clinical evaluation to identify the presence of co-morbidities; 4) initiating a plan of care including subsequent follow-up blood pressure measurements therapeutic lifestyle changes and pharmacologic therapies.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Citation Information
Stephens, Mary M.; Fox, Beth A.; and Maxwell, Lisa. 2011. Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents. Clinical Medicine Insights: Circulatory, Respiratory and Pulmonary Medicine. Vol.6(1). 13-25. https://doi.org/10.4137/CCRPM.S7602 ISSN: 1179-5484
Copyright Statement
© the author(s), publisher and licensee Libertas Academica Ltd.