Treatment of Pediatric Hypertension: Lessons Learned from Recent Studies

Current consensus guidelines for the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents provide expert opinion on the use of both lifestyle modification and antihypertensive medication, when indicated. We review recent literature which provides further insights into the management of hypertension in youth. We focus on lessons learned from recent studies on both nonpharmacologic (DASH diet, salt reduction, stress reduction) and pharmacologic therapy, including their efficacy in lowering blood pressure and their effect on reversing hypertensive target organ damage. We also address some limitations of recent studies and suggest future areas of research in order to continue to advance the field of pediatric hypertension. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.