Health Tip: Children Can Have High Blood Pressure, Too

Especially if it runs in the family

(HealthDay News) -- High blood pressure usually occurs when arteries narrow and make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The condition increases a person's risk of cardiovascular disease.

While it's most common in adults, the Texas Heart Institute says children also can develop high blood pressure -- especially if family members have the condition. Most of the time, high blood pressure in children is triggered by another condition, such as heart or kidney disease.

If your child does have high blood pressure, the institute says he should get plenty of exercise and maintain a healthy body weight. He should also be on a diet low in salt, fat and sugar, and avoid smoking.

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