Kids and High Blood Pressure

It's a sign of the times we have to monitor our kids waistlines .. but now there's new evidence we should be keeping a closer eye on their blood pressure, too.

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital along with colleagues at Harvard say, the problem is grossly under reported because few pediatricians are screening for it.
Their study found only a quarter of kids with elevated blood pressure had the condition noted in their files . .simply put, their doctors didn't check for it.

The researchers say, as with adults, treating early can stave off problems. For kids that generally means lifestyle changes.

So when you take the kids for the back to school check up, add a conversation about blood pressure to your list of things to discuss.

For more info on blood pressure check out the current issue of JAMA or check out
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2004/nhlbi-04.htm