Prevent Hypertension in U.S. Kids

Sad news today reported by ABC says that more than 1 million kids in the U.S. have underdiagnosed high blood pressure.

The AMA seven-year study based on medical records for nearly 15,000 healthy children aged 3 to 18, revealed pediatric hypertension is on the rise right alongside pediatric obesity.

The problem in pediatrics is that it's very hard to catch because it's normal to have abnormal blood pressure scores varying with age, sex, and height during childhood.

Leading researchers at Harvard Medical School believe its just as important to check it and treat it, as if it were abnormal to be abnormal.

Next wellness check up, ask that your children be checked, but you can start with preventative measures right from home.

1. Make sure your child is within their optimum weight boundaries, without limiting good fat intake. Remember children need more fat than you do.

2. Exercise you child alongside yourself. Do not overexert them.

3. Try a yoga program you can do together, such as Bhakti Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is a soft, meditative yoga based on the principles of love (or devotion of God), relationship and "twoness" but can be transferred to a bonding moment for parent and child. It is comforting, nurturing yoga.

and 4. eat lots of dark chocolate and follow altMD's list of favorites to beat and treat hypertension.