Reclassifying Hypertension Identifies Cardiovascular Risks in Children

A lower threshold for hypertension in the new pediatric blood pressure guidelines increased the prevalence of hypertension.

In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) modified the 2004 guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure (BP) in children to align with new definitions of hypertension established by the American Heart Association. The new guidelines define the absolute thresholds for elevated BP (formerly classified as prehypertension) as 90th to <95th percentile or 120/80 mm Hg to 129/<80 mm Hg, for stage 1 hypertension (formerly 95th to 99th percentile +5 mm Hg) as 95th percentile +12 mm Hg or 130/80 to 139/89 mm Hg, and for stage 2 hypertension (formerly >99th percentile +5 mm Hg) as ≥95th percentile +12 mm Hg or ≥140/≥90 mm Hg.

To assess the impact of the lower BP values, investigators conducted a case-control study of 15,647 childre…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Reclassifying Hypertension Identifies Cardiovascular Risks in Children

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Reviewing Author