An experienced family physician, Margaret Kelly Burkhead, MD, has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina's Chapel Hill School of Medicine since 2007. Margaret Kelly Burkhead, MD, also has lectured and presented on such pediatric health topics as high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, most often occurs in younger children as a secondary medical condition. Kidney disease stands out as the most common cause, though some children develop secondary hypertension as a result of a congenital heart defect, hormonal disorder, or genetic condition.
For older children, hypertension is often a primary condition, and its cause is typically unknown. Family predisposition may play a role in these cases, though obesity can be a significant contributing factor. High cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels also increase a child's risk of developing primary hypertension.
For many children with high blood pressure, lifestyle changes such as increased exercise and a healthful diet can lower blood pressure. Some may require supplemental medication, and any primary conditions that cause hypertension must be addressed as well.
