World Hypertension Day | Children’s inattention may be due to high blood pressure, parents need to be vigilant!

Today is World Hypertension Day. Hypertension is a common disease, and many people don’t know they have it. For children, hypertension is also a problem that parents need to pay attention to, because a child’s lack of concentration may be a manifestation of hypertension.

Hypertension is a disease in which blood pressure is continuously elevated. If it is not treated in time, it can cause serious effects on the body. Children and adolescents over 16 years old with a blood pressure value ≥ 130/85 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) are defined as having hypertension.

In addition to a family history of hypertension, if you experience abnormal symptoms such as headache, nosebleed, dizziness, visual impairment, stroke, poor academic performance, inattention, difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, and fainting, you should seek medical attention promptly.

Early detection and early treatment of hypertension are key. Here are some feasible measures:

1. Exercise and lifestyle habits

Develop feasible exercise goals and reward systems to promote health, encourage family members to cooperate, and maintain a smoke-free environment. Perform moderate-intensity physical exercise (such as jogging, cycling, swimming, etc.) ≥1 h/d, mainly aerobic exercise, and ensure resistance training 3 times/week. If diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension, competitive sports should be avoided, and long periods of sitting should be ≤2 h/d. If overweight/obese, weight loss courses can be taken.

2. Diet adjustment

Avoid intake of free sugars (≤5% total calories), sugary drinks, saturated fatty acids, etc., eat more fruits, vegetables and grain products (recommended ≥4-5 servings/d), and limit sodium ion intake to <2300 mg/d (based on my country's situation, the recommended sodium intake is <2400 mg/d).

3. Medication

Recommended first-line antihypertensive drugs include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (perindopril, fosinopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (valsartan, losartan), dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, nicardipine) and diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide). Except in special circumstances, beta-adrenergic blockers are not recommended because of possible adverse reactions.