Optimizing Cognitive Development of Children with Iron Adequacy
There are various tips for controlling blood pressure in children. However, good planning and discipline are needed in carrying it out, especially in children who are already suffering from hypertension.
In general, tips for controlling blood pressure in children are not much different from those of adults, namely making healthy lifestyle changes. Not only apply to children with hypertension, these tips also need to be applied to all children so that they are always healthy.
Tips for Controlling Blood Pressure in Children
High blood pressure or hypertension in children is often associated with other underlying health conditions, such as heart defects, kidney disease, genetic disorders, or hormonal disorders.
In addition, hypertension is also usually experienced by children aged 6 years and over with various risk factors, ranging from being overweight, having a family history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, to too much salt intake, frequent exposure cigarette smoke, and less active.
In order to maintain a child's blood pressure, it is important to apply the following tips for controlling blood pressure in children:
1. Take care of the child's weight
Being overweight or obese can make the heart work harder and cause blood pressure to rise as well. So, one effective way to reduce and control blood pressure is to maintain body weight.
If your child is overweight or obese, encourage him to take a healthy diet so that he can lose weight until he reaches his ideal weight.
2. Apply a healthy diet
Blood pressure in children can be controlled if they are accustomed to eating healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat and sugar dairy products.
In addition, give children foods that contain potassium, because this nutrient also plays a role in lowering and maintaining blood pressure. Some high-potassium foods that can be included in a child's daily diet include fish, chicken, beef, potatoes, spinach, bananas, papaya, and dates.
3. Reduce salt intake
To control blood pressure in children, limit the amount of salt in the food they eat. The reason is, excessive salt intake can gradually cause high blood pressure in children.
Examples of high-salt foods that should be avoided or limited are fast food, such as burgers, chicken nuggets, pizza, or potato chips.
To find out the limits of salt intake in children, here are the guidelines:
- Children aged 4–8 years are not advised to consume more than 1,200 mg of salt daily
- Children who are over 8 years old should not consume more than 1,500 mg of salt a day
4. Encourage children to be active
The next tips for controlling blood pressure in children are to encourage their physical activity. Encourage children to be active and do regular exercise so that their heart muscles are stronger and can pump blood smoothly.
To encourage children to be more active, limit the time they watch television, play on the computer, or play on mobile phones. For children over 2 years of age, limit the child to do this activity, which is no more than 2 hours a day.
Then, invite the children to exercise regularly together at least 3 times a week with a duration of 30-60 minutes. There are many sports that can be done, but according to the child's age and condition.
Children who suffer from hypertension, for example, are not advised to do weight lifting, weight lifting, or other strength training.
5. Keep children away from secondhand smoke
Cigarette smoke can make blood pressure rise. The reason is exposure to cigarette smoke can directly damage the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, as much as possible protect children from exposure to cigarette smoke from people around them.
By applying these tips, the child's blood pressure will always be maintained. In fact, in children with hypertension, changes to healthy lifestyles can make the treatment they are undergoing more effective or perhaps to make the child stop taking blood pressure-lowering drugs.
In order for children to be easily invited to adopt a lifestyle, parents and the family around them must be involved or do the same thing. By setting a good example, children will be more easily motivated to live it.
If you still have questions about how to control blood pressure in children or you feel your child is at risk of developing hypertension, do not hesitate to consult a pediatrician. Hypertension that is detected early will be easier to treat so that it does not develop into a dangerous condition.
Label : Health
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