High blood pressure isn’t just an adult disease. Children and teens – and even some babies – can also be diagnosed with the condition. Surprisingly, the target numbers of 120/80 that you may be used to seeing only apply to adults. That’s because what’s considered normal for children changes as they grow and mature. Instead, doctors use a complicated calculation based on comparing a child’s blood pressure to those of children the same age, gender and height.

High blood pressure in children can develop for the same reasons it does in adults: eating a poor diet, not getting enough exercise and being overweight. In addition, heavier and more sexually mature teenagers tend to have higher blood pressure.

Why worry? They’re just kids, right? According to some experts, obese teenagers who have high blood pressure may develop thicker arteries by the time they reach age 30. Those fatty buildups can lead to stroke and heart disease.

Making early lifestyle changes can set children on a path toward wellness.  Such things as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, and maintaining a healthy weight, may literally change and save their lives.

The majority of doctors prefer these lifestyle changes to prescribing medication for kids with mild hypertension. Encourage your child to participate in organized sports as a way to control both blood pressure and weight. But ask your doctor first before allowing a child with high blood pressure to participate in body building, weight lifting or similar activities. If your child is overweight, you might also want to ask your doctor about a medically monitored weight loss program.