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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffYour child's risk factors for high blood pressure depend on whether it's caused by another health condition your child has, or lifestyle factors.
Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that's caused by an underlying health condition. This is the type of high blood pressure that's more common in young children. Other health conditions that can cause high blood pressure include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Type 1 diabetes
- Heart problems, such as coarctation of the aorta
- Adrenal disorders
- Conditions affecting the kidneys, such as lupus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor in the adrenal gland
- Narrowing of the artery to the kidney (renal artery stenosis)
Essential hypertension (primary hypertension)
Essential hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs on its own, without an underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure occurs more often in older children and adolescents. The risk factors for developing essential hypertension are:
- Being overweight or obese (a body mass index over 25)
- Lack of physical activity
- Type 2 diabetes or a high fasting blood glucose level
- High cholesterol and triglycerides
- Too much salt (sodium) in your child's diet
