Imagine a seven-year-old, barely starting primary school, already carrying a hidden risk that could affect their heart decades later. Recent research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 and published in JAMA reveals that children with elevated blood pressure as early as seven could face a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by their mid-50s.
This study is the first to examine the long-term impact of both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure measured in early childhood. Previous research had linked hypertension in older children, around age 12, to adult heart disease, but these new findings suggest the danger starts even earlier. According to the authors, blood pressure readings at age seven could act as an early warning signal for midlife heart issues.
Heart Problems: Why This Matters in India
The concern is particularly pressing in India, where childhood hypertension is on the rise. A 2021 review of 64 studies by Meena, cited by TOI, found that around 7% of Indian children and adolescents have high blood pressure. The prevalence has been climbing steadily since 2005, especially in urban areas and among obese children, who show rates as high as 29% compared to 7% among children of normal weight.
"Blood pressure checks in children are usually opportunistic, usually only done if they are obese, have a family history or other risk factors. Detailed guidance exists but universal routine screening is still not practised in India," told TOI Dr Mukesh Goel, senior consultant in cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
He added that a lack of time in busy clinics, shortage of paediatric BP cuffs, inadequate training, and competing priorities in primary care all contribute to the gap.
Heart Issues: Urban Pressures and Lifestyle Risks
Lifestyle pressures in cities also play a role. "Heavy academic pressure, reduced outdoor activity, shrinking playgrounds and long hours on gadgets fuel obesity and hypertension in children," explained Dr Dinesh Yadav, paediatric cardiologist at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, to TOI. "The easy availability and aggressive marketing of junk food high in salt and trans fats form a dangerous cocktail that is leading to childhood hypertension and even premature deaths."
Globally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual blood pressure checks starting at age three. Yet in India, these screenings are often skipped during routine clinic visits. One of the study’s authors told TOI, "These results reinforce the importance of tracking cardiovascular risk factors early. Detecting high BP in children gives families and doctors a chance to intervene before irreversible damage occurs."
High Blood Pressure: Early Detection Can Save Lives
Ignoring high blood pressure in children can have serious consequences. "If left untreated, high BP in children can persist into adulthood, causing early organ damage," Dr Goel told TOI. "We see thickened heart muscles, stiffer arteries and early signs of clogged vessels. Kidney problems can appear sooner, and the risk of stroke and heart disease multiplies as the children grow. The good news is that early detection and proper control can prevent most of these complications."
The message is clear: parents, paediatricians, and policymakers must take childhood blood pressure seriously. Early screening, lifestyle changes, and timely intervention could be the key to preventing a future wave of premature heart disease in India.
Inputs from TOI
This study is the first to examine the long-term impact of both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure measured in early childhood. Previous research had linked hypertension in older children, around age 12, to adult heart disease, but these new findings suggest the danger starts even earlier. According to the authors, blood pressure readings at age seven could act as an early warning signal for midlife heart issues.
Heart Problems: Why This Matters in India
The concern is particularly pressing in India, where childhood hypertension is on the rise. A 2021 review of 64 studies by Meena, cited by TOI, found that around 7% of Indian children and adolescents have high blood pressure. The prevalence has been climbing steadily since 2005, especially in urban areas and among obese children, who show rates as high as 29% compared to 7% among children of normal weight.
"Blood pressure checks in children are usually opportunistic, usually only done if they are obese, have a family history or other risk factors. Detailed guidance exists but universal routine screening is still not practised in India," told TOI Dr Mukesh Goel, senior consultant in cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
He added that a lack of time in busy clinics, shortage of paediatric BP cuffs, inadequate training, and competing priorities in primary care all contribute to the gap.
Heart Issues: Urban Pressures and Lifestyle Risks
Lifestyle pressures in cities also play a role. "Heavy academic pressure, reduced outdoor activity, shrinking playgrounds and long hours on gadgets fuel obesity and hypertension in children," explained Dr Dinesh Yadav, paediatric cardiologist at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, to TOI. "The easy availability and aggressive marketing of junk food high in salt and trans fats form a dangerous cocktail that is leading to childhood hypertension and even premature deaths."
Globally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual blood pressure checks starting at age three. Yet in India, these screenings are often skipped during routine clinic visits. One of the study’s authors told TOI, "These results reinforce the importance of tracking cardiovascular risk factors early. Detecting high BP in children gives families and doctors a chance to intervene before irreversible damage occurs."
High Blood Pressure: Early Detection Can Save Lives
Ignoring high blood pressure in children can have serious consequences. "If left untreated, high BP in children can persist into adulthood, causing early organ damage," Dr Goel told TOI. "We see thickened heart muscles, stiffer arteries and early signs of clogged vessels. Kidney problems can appear sooner, and the risk of stroke and heart disease multiplies as the children grow. The good news is that early detection and proper control can prevent most of these complications."
The message is clear: parents, paediatricians, and policymakers must take childhood blood pressure seriously. Early screening, lifestyle changes, and timely intervention could be the key to preventing a future wave of premature heart disease in India.
Inputs from TOI
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