High blood pressure is now affecting children, with obesity and junk food becoming major causes.

The most dangerous thing about high blood pressure is that children may initially not even realize they have a problem. However, in some cases, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and weakness may appear.

High blood pressure is no longer just a disease of adults. In recent years, the problem has been rapidly increasing among children. In the UK, cases of high blood pressure in children have doubled in recent years. The main causes are believed to be obesity, an increased dependence on junk food, and a lack of physical activity. Doctors call it a "silent killer" because it doesn't show any obvious symptoms in its early stages.

 

 

1 /6

The most dangerous thing about high blood pressure is that children themselves may not initially recognize they have a problem. However, in some cases, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and weakness may appear. If not addressed early, it can cause permanent damage to the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.

 

2 /6

According to health surveys, childhood obesity has doubled between 2010 and 2020. One in five children is obese. Excessive salt, fat, and sugar in processed and packaged foods are adversely affecting children's bodies. After the age of 10, increased abdominal fat can lead to the production of chemicals in the body that harden the arteries and increase pressure on the heart.

 

3 /6

Children who eat fewer vegetables and spend more than two hours a day on mobile phones, TVs, or other screens have been found to have a higher risk of high blood pressure. Furthermore, children with a family history of the condition are at increased risk. Premature births or low birth weight babies may also develop this condition later in life.

 

4 /6

Meanwhile, primary hypertension, or lifestyle-related high blood pressure, is becoming more common among school-age children. In younger children, congenital kidney, thyroid, or heart problems can be the cause, which often go undetected.

 

5 /6

According to doctors, children's heart muscles begin to thicken by the age of 12. Plaque buildup in the arteries can begin during adolescence, increasing the risk of serious diseases like stroke and diabetes.

 

6 /6

However, the good news is that if high blood pressure is detected early, the damage to a child's heart and nerves can be completely reversed. This requires improving diet, avoiding junk food, regular sports, and medical treatment if needed. Programs like fruit distribution in schools are helpful, but parents are considered the most important in changing children's habits.