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Handbook of Clinical Behavioral Pediatrics pp 311–322Cite as

Elevated Blood Pressure

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Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((NSSB))

Abstract

Behavioral interventions to modify diet, activity, and emotional stress constitute the recommended initial treatment for mild essential hypertension in children and should accompany pharmacological therapy in more severe cases (Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children, 1987; referred to hereafter as the Second Task Force). The first concern is to ensure that the blood pressure evaluation process itself does not generate excessive anxiety and negative self-labeling on the part of child and family (Bloom & Monterossa, 1981; Bergman & Stamm, 1967). If, upon repeated assessment, the child’s blood pressure is found to be significantly elevated, this can usually be presented as a timely cue to start changing life-style patterns that could lead to health problems later on. Behavioral assessment and intervention efforts then focus on modifying diet habits, increasing physical activity, and reducing excessive emotional stress.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Psychology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Craig K. Ewart

  2. Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98185, USA

    Susanna Cunningham

Authors
  1. Craig K. Ewart
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  2. Susanna Cunningham
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA

    Alan M. Gross

  2. University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA

    Ronald S. Drabman

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© 1990 Plenum Press, New York

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Ewart, C.K., Cunningham, S. (1990). Elevated Blood Pressure. In: Gross, A.M., Drabman, R.S. (eds) Handbook of Clinical Behavioral Pediatrics. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0505-7_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0505-7_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7840-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0505-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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