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Evaluation and Management of Elevated Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Pediatric Hypertension (B Falkner, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Hypertension Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To understand the impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its medications on blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents and provide recommendations for management of elevated BP in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Recent Findings

ADHD medications have cardiovascular effects including elevated BP. However, the bulk of the evidence indicates that stimulants and other ADHD medications are safe and do not cause severe cardiovascular diseases. BP should be assessed carefully at the time of ADHD diagnosis, because some behavioral changes similar to ADHD may be associated with hypertension.

Summary

ADHD medications appear to be safe. However, their long-term impact on the cardiovascular system is not clearly understood and needs further investigation. BP should be monitored regularly during ADHD pharmacotherapy in order to optimize the management of both conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7813, San Antonio, Texas, 78229-3900, USA

    Ikuyo Yamaguchi

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Coral Hanevold

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  1. Ikuyo Yamaguchi
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Correspondence to Ikuyo Yamaguchi.

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Yamaguchi, I., Hanevold, C. Evaluation and Management of Elevated Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Curr Hypertens Rep 21, 60 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-019-0968-1

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