Does My Child Need a Heart Health Check?

Key takeaways

• Australia has released its first national guideline for identifying high blood pressure in children in 2026.
• Healthy children should have their blood pressure checked between ages 7 and 9, and again between 13 and 15.
• Children with risk factors such as obesity should have their blood pressure checked at every healthcare visit.
• About 1 in 11 Australian children has a high blood pressure reading, and most of these cases are not detected.
• If high blood pressure is found early, it can usually be managed. Most children improve with lifestyle changes before any medication is needed.

What a heart health check actually involves

A heart health check for a child is straightforward. It usually involves checking blood pressure with the right size cuff, and sometimes a cholesterol blood test if your child has other risk factors.

For a long time, people thought blood pressure checks were only for adults. That has changed. The new Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents, created by the BPOzKids Network and Hypertension Australia and supported by the Heart Foundation, is the first of its kind here.

This guideline was created because research confirmed what paediatricians were already noticing. Children as young as 7 or 8 are showing high blood pressure, and some even have early thickening of the heart muscle, which means the heart is working too hard. Most of these children do not have any symptoms. The Heart Foundation estimates that tens of thousands of Australian children have high blood pressure, most without knowing it. That’s why heart health checks are important.

When your child should have their blood pressure checked

The guideline gives GPs and paediatricians a clear and practical schedule to follow. It helps to know about it so you can ask your doctor directly.

For children who do not have other risk factors, the recommendation is:

• A blood pressure check between ages 7 and 9
• A second check between ages 13 and 15

For children with risk factors like obesity, being born early, or a family history of high blood pressure, the guideline recommends checking blood pressure at every healthcare visit, not just twice during school years. Obesity is now the main reason for rising blood pressure in Australian children, which is why this is so important for families.

A child’s blood pressure is not measured by the same standards as an adult’s. Instead, doctors use percentiles based on age, sex, and height. A reading that is normal for an adult might be high for a child, or the other way around. That’s why it’s important to have a proper paediatric check with the right cuff size and charts, rather than just using a home machine.

If cholesterol is a concern, a simple blood test can check lipid levels. This is not routine for every child, but your GP or paediatrician can tell you if it’s needed, especially if there is a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease.

Making this part of your child's regular care

You should start by talking to your child’s GP or paediatrician. A heart health check does not need a referral or a specialist appointment. It can be done during a regular visit and only takes a few minutes.

If you are unsure whether your child is in the high-risk group that needs checks at every visit, just ask your doctor. Obesity, a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease, and being born early are all reasons for more frequent checks.

Dr Gary Leong is a paediatric endocrinologist who helps families across Australia with issues related to weight, metabolic health, and long-term heart risk. If your child is already discussing weight management, checking blood pressure is a natural and important part of that process, not something to put off for later.

Why catching this early makes all the difference

High blood pressure in childhood often continues into adulthood. Research shows that children with high blood pressure are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems later in life if it is not found and managed.

If a check shows something unusual, there is good news. Most children with early or mild high blood pressure start with lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt, being more active, and getting good sleep, before any medication is considered. Many families are already working on these habits for their child's weight and health. A heart health check just gives you another reason to keep up these changes.

If your child is short of breath, very tired, or you are already concerned about their weight and habits, bringing up a heart health check at your next appointment is a good next step. There is no need to worry in the meantime.