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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Hypertension in Children and Adolescents

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During the last few decades, hypertension in children and adolescents has gained ground in cardiovascular medicine, thanks to the progress made in several areas of pathophysiological and clinical research. The prevalence in school-aged children appears to be increasing, perhaps as a result of the increased prevalence of obesity in the last years. Despite evidence of an increasing prevalence of hypertension in the young, the consequences of early onset hypertension are poorly established and often overlooked. In children hypertension can be caused by multiple conditions, and therefore it is warranted to consider a wide range of differential diagnoses and to search for definable causes of hypertension. The goal of treatment for hypertension is to decrease the short-and long-term risks of cardiovascular, neurological, and renal disease. The accurate identification of hypertension at the earliest possible age provides a window of opportunity to initiate preventive measures, thereby reducing the risk of permanent organ damage, long-term morbidity, and reduced life span.