Lifestyle and home remedies

High blood pressure is treated similarly in children and adults, usually starting with lifestyle changes. Even if your child takes medication for high blood pressure, lifestyle changes can make the medication work better.

• Control your child's weight. If your child is overweight, achieving a healthy weight or maintaining the same weight while getting taller can lower blood pressure.
• Give your child a healthy diet. Encourage your child to eat a heart-healthy diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean sources of protein, such as fish and beans, and limiting fat and sugar.

• Decrease salt in your child's diet. Cutting the amount of salt (sodium) in your child's diet will help lower his or her blood pressure. Children ages 2 to 3 shouldn't have more than 1,200 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day, and older children shouldn't have more than 1,500 mg a day.

  Limit processed foods, which are often high in sodium, and limit eating at fast-food restaurants, whose menu items are full of salt, fat and calories.

• Encourage physical activity. All children should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day.
• Limit screen time. To encourage your child to be more active, limit time in front of the television, computer or other devices.
• Get the family involved. It can be hard for your child to make healthy lifestyle changes if other family members don't eat well or exercise. Set a good example. Your whole family will benefit from eating better. Create family fun by playing together — ride bikes, play catch or take a walk.