When should annual blood pressure determinations begin in children?

Annual blood pressure measurements in children should begin at age 3 years. This recommendation is based on clinical guidelines established by pediatric organizations, which advocate for routine monitoring to help identify hypertension early. Hypertension in childhood can lead to lasting cardiovascular issues if it goes undetected and untreated. Starting measurements at this age allows for timely intervention and management strategies to promote healthy blood pressure as children grow.

While some guidelines suggest earlier screening for certain high-risk individuals—such as those with obesity or a family history of hypertension—routine checks for all children start at age 3. This is important because blood pressure tends to change as children grow, and monitoring provides valuable data to assess a child's growth and cardiovascular risk factors effectively.