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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffHigh blood pressure is treated similarly in children and adults, typically starting with lifestyle changes.
- Control your child's weight. If your child is overweight, losing the excess pounds or maintaining the same weight as he or she gets taller can lower blood pressure.
- Give your child a healthy diet. Encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast that includes fiber, and avoid sugary cereals. Provide plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in place of higher fat snacks like candy or chips. Trade white bread, rice and pasta for whole-wheat varieties. Working with a dietitian can be helpful.
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Decrease salt in your child's diet. One of the most important changes you can make to decrease your child's blood pressure is to cut the amount of salt (sodium) in your child's diet. Children age 3 and younger shouldn't have more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day. Children ages 4 to 8 shouldn't have more than 1,900 mg a day, and children ages 9 to 13 shouldn't have more than 2,200 mg a day. Starting at age 14, the daily sodium allowance is the same as it is for adults — 2,300 mg or less a day.
Pay attention to how much salt you use in your cooking, and take the saltshaker off the table. Avoid giving your child salty snacks, such as chips or pretzels. Also, pay attention to how much sodium is in canned and processed foods your child eats, such as soups and frozen dinners.
- Encourage physical activity. Most children need at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day. To promote physical activity, limit your child's time in front of the television or computer — no television before age 2, and no more than two hours of "screen time" a day after age 2.
- Get the whole family involved. It may be hard for your child to make healthy lifestyle changes if you or your child's siblings don't eat a healthy diet or exercise. So, set a good example. Your whole family will benefit from eating a healthier diet. You can also join in the fun of riding your bikes together, playing catch or walking to the park as a family.
