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Real-World Strategies to Treat Hypertension Associated with Pediatric Obesity

  • Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome (John Sperati, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Hypertension Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review the most recent literature on current strategies for the treatment of hypertension associated with pediatric obesity.

Recent Findings

Over the last three decades, childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity prevalence in the USA has continued to rise. Unsurprisingly but rather disturbingly, this rising prevalence has been paralleled by an increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in childhood such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes that become manifest earlier than previously reported. These childhood CVD risk factors are not only associated with target organ damage in childhood but also track into adulthood, increasing the risk of long-term CVD morbidity and mortality.

Summary

There have been several mechanisms proposed to explain the role of obesity on the development of hypertension in childhood. However, central to the management of obesity-related hypertension is a multifaceted approach targeting lifestyle modifications and weight loss. Effective treatment often also requires a pharmacologic approach and rarely bariatric surgery.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg Children’s Center, 1800 Orleans Street, M2303, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Edem Binka

  2. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University, David M. Rubenstein Child Health Building, 200 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Tammy M. Brady

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Correspondence to Edem Binka.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Brady reports grants from NIH/NHLBI, grants from NIH/NIMH, grants from AHRQ, and grants from RESOLVE to Save Lives, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Binka reports grants from NIH/NHLBI during the conduct of the study.

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Binka, E., Brady, T.M. Real-World Strategies to Treat Hypertension Associated with Pediatric Obesity. Curr Hypertens Rep 21, 18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-019-0922-2

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