Hypertension and Vascular Phenotype in Children: The Role of Prevention

Overview: Epidemiological surveys demonstrate an increasing number of hypertension in youth, which is linked to the complementary increase of obesity in children. Growing evidence suggests that higher childhood blood pressure tracks through adulthood and predicts the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension and obesity have become a public health concern with a rising global prevalence of physical inactivity and unhealthy lifestyle among children. Subclinical alterations in large artery stiffness and retinal microvascular function in children exist long before manifestation of CVD later in life. Primary prevention strategies in pediatric populations are warranted to counteract the growing burden of hypertension and related vascular disease. The Webinar puts into perspective recent data from the EXAMIN YOUTH study and its Follow-Up.