Pediatric Hypertension Program

While high blood pressure is more common in adults, children and teens can develop the problem too. If untreated, over time high blood pressure can damage many organs of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. The normal range for blood pressure depends on your child's sex, age and height.

Seattle Children's Pediatric Hypertension Program is the only one in the region dedicated to evaluating and treating children and teens with high blood pressure. Our expert team of doctors, nurses, dietitians and social workers offers specialized services tailored to your child's unique needs.

We take part in research studies to learn more about promising new medicines to treat high blood pressure in children. If they are right for your child, we can offer the latest medicines for high blood pressure.

Services We Offer

Initial evaluation

Members of our team meet with you and your child to assess your child's blood pressure and develop a plan for treatment.
Consultation

We offer complete consultations for children and teens who have high blood pressure with an unknown cause or who seem to not respond well to standard treatments for the condition. In addition, we work closely with experts in many of Seattle Children's specialty clinics, who can provide immediate consultation on your child's condition.
Nutritional evaluation and counseling

Our registered dietitians can help you, your child and your family meet nutritional goals to help control blood pressure.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)

An ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a small machine that takes your child's blood pressure every 15 to 30 minutes during the course of a normal day. This information can help your child's doctor see if treatment is working, and help you and your child manage hypertension.
Home blood pressure monitoring

Our team can help you learn how to monitor your child's blood pressure at home. Keeping a record of blood pressure measurements helps your child's doctor see how well treatment is working and helps you manage your child's health.
Medication management

If your child needs medicines for high blood pressure, our team's experience with the latest medicines allows us to know how to adjust doses and change medicines to help make sure your child gets the best results.
Diagnostic testing

With close access to testing services at Seattle Children's Hospital, our team can check your child for other risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol. We work closely with Seattle Children's clinics, including Radiology, to coordinate exams so that they are as convenient for your family and as comfortable for your child as possible.
Physical Therapy

Our physical therapist can help your child and your family develop a plan to increase physical activity through both play and exercise to help control blood pressure.
24-hour consultation

One of our doctors is available on-call at all times to provide advice to you or your child's doctor if problems arise.