60 Systemic Hypertension Manish D Sinha, Christopher Reid Abstract Systemic arterial hypertension, one of the most common cardiovascular diseases in adults, has continued to increase in prevalence across all age groups among children and young adults These increasing numbers are primarily secondary to the epidemic of childhood obesity and overweight A large body of literature confirms that blood pressure levels during childhood, similar to excess weight status, track into adulthood with abnormal blood pressure levels during childhood often resulting in hypertension as young adults Responding to this emerging public health issue, expert committees have called for screening for elevated blood pressure in asymptomatic children, particularly as hypertension in children remains poorly recognized Primary or essential hypertension is the most common form of hypertension in adults, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the origin of this condition is in childhood and now accounts for the most common cause of hypertension in age children 10 years and older Secondary hypertension is associated with more severe hypertension, often with more immediate clinical consequences and is commonly caused by renal disease Early recognition of hypertension and judicious use of suitable antihypertensive agents enable the blood pressure to be controlled in all patients, with minimal undesirable side effects Consequently the management of hypertension is particularly rewarding for the practicing pediatrician Keywords pediatric; measurement; evaluation; tracking; primary hypertension; management; antihypertensive medication ... Consequently the management of hypertension is particularly rewarding for the practicing pediatrician Keywords pediatric; measurement; evaluation; tracking; primary hypertension; management; antihypertensive medication