What Should a Kid's Blood Pressure Be?

As children age, their healthy blood pressure levels rise. Most doctors find the average healthy blood pressure reading for children based on age and height, while others include gender. While median blood pressure charts are consulted when determining the health of a child, other factors also are taken into consideration when determining if medical intervention for high blood pressure is necessary.

  1. Measurements

    • The top number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic number and measures the number of heartbeats. The bottom number is the diastolic measurement and records the resting time between heartbeats. The numbers are measured in millimeters of mercury. The healthy average blood pressure for children varies with age; children who have readings higher than 95 percent of the population are considered at risk for pre-hypertension or other serious conditions.

    Readings

    • Children from one to three years old should show an average of 83 to 114 systolic over 37 to 66 diastolic. Blood pressure readings naturally increase with age and should be a part of an annual physical exam. Six-year-old children in the median range will have blood pressure readings of 98 over 55, while a typical 17-year-old will show readings closer to a healthy adult in the 119 over 67 range.

    Factors

    • By the age of three, children should begin receiving regular blood pressure measurements, according to the American Heart Association. Early sign of hypertension can easily be corrected with lifestyle changes to reverse the effects of high blood pressure in young children. Other complications, such as heart and kidney disease, or an adverse reaction to medications, also can be caught early before further damage develops. Studies by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute indicate the main cause of high blood pressure in children is obesity.

    Complications

    • Elevated blood pressure readings are an indication that children can be at risk for developing hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. Children with high blood pressure readings also are prone to adult cardiovascular problems because of the early lifestyles they have developed. Studies show that adults with high blood pressure had high blood pressure and signs of prehypertension as children.

    Considerations

    • Children with weight problems who are prone to high blood pressure can be treated in much the same way as adults. Lifestyle changes that include healthy eating patterns, increased activity levels and aerobic exercise can reduce blood pressure readings and the inherent risks. Blood pressure medications for children diagnosed with prehypertension often are required temporarily to reduce dangerous blood pressure readings.

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