Chappel, who attends Jordan High School and hopes to become an engineer, discovered he had hypertension five months ago during a routine physical checkup. About one percent of the population less than 18 years of age has hypertension, which translates into 10,000 to 20,000 affected children in Houston alone. Hypertension has been reported to be as high as 11 percent in Houston's minority pediatric population. The propensity for high blood pressure is genetic, and factors such as obesity, salt, diet and stress level affect it. We hope we can intervene early with lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication to alter the path to sustained hypertension.
Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls rises.
Both genetic and environmental factors influence its onset. Hypertension can cause considerable damage to the heart and the brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Kidney scarring and kidney failure can also result from the disease. High blood pressure can even hamper growth, cause attention problems and personality changes. Other symptoms of hypertension include nosebleeds, abdominal pain and headaches.