Children with hypertension (elevated blood pressure) are much more likely to have problems with learning and behavior than children with normal blood pressure, says a new study from University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) published in the journal Pediatrics.

When variables such as socio-economic levels are evened out, the study says, children with hypertension were four times more likely to have cognitive problems. In other words, it’s harder for them to remember, learn, and think.

The study also found that children with high blood pressure are more likely to have the symptoms commonly labelled as “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” (ADHD). In other words, they have trouble paying attention, performing and completing tasks, and tend to be ‘hyperactive’, and impulsive.

“Although retrospective, this work adds to the growing evidence of an association between hypertension and cognitive function. With 4 percent of children now estimated to have hypertension, the need to understand this potential connection is incredibly important,” said Heather R. Adams, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at URMC, and an author of the study.

The 201 children in the study were between 10 and 18-years-old, and their parents reported their diagnosis and symptoms. Fully half of the patients, 101, actually had hypertension (sustained high blood pressure) as determined by medical monitoring.

Overall, 18 percent of the children had “learning disabilities”, well above the general population’s rate of 5 percent. However, the percentage of children with normal blood pressure who had learning and behavioral problems was closer to 9 percent, and in those with hypertension the rate jumped to 28 percent.

Twenty percent of the children with hypertension had “ADHD” symptoms — trouble paying attention, performing and completing tasks, hyperactivity and impulsivity — whereas only 7 percent of those without hypertension had those problems.

The usual treatment for hypertension is dietary changes and various types of medications. Drugs can have unwanted side effects, but fortunately other treatment options exist which are safe and effective.

For example, according to the World Health Organization, controlled clinical trials have proven that Acupuncture is an effective treatment for essential hypertension. Acupuncture opens up specific channels that the body uses to flow energy, and can quickly relieve hypertension and normalize blood pressure.

The chronic stress of physical abnormalities of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems can also create blood pressure problems — problems that Chiropractic care handles very effectively. By realigning and reestablishing correct nerve function, Chiropractic care helps relieve underlying causes of hypertension.