Classroom check-ups to tackle silent health issue among Australian kids

Children around the world are screened in school for this silent but dangerous health issue. Now a new trial could bring this testing to Aussie classrooms.

Melbourne students can learn both their ABCs – and risk of cardiovascular disease – in school, with an Australian-first pilot bringing blood pressure checks to the classroom.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute study will identify children with high blood pressure in a bid to prevent strokes and heart disease decades later, and hopes to bring the country in line with the rest of the world.

Australia – unlike Europe, North America and many other regions – has no clinical guidelines for measuring blood pressure in children, meaning the silent precursor to serious heart issues can go unnoticed.

Murdoch Children’s researcher Jonathan Glenning said high blood pressure “causes changes in the heart and the blood vessels from childhood that can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes in adulthood”.

“There really is a growing realisation in the medical community now of the need to prevent cardiovascular disease earlier and earlier,” he said.

“Whenever we think about blood pressure being an issue, it’s usually about adults.

“But global data suggests that approximately three or four children or adolescents in every standard-sized classroom will have an elevated or high blood pressure.”

Researcher Jonathan Glenning takes the blood pressure of 12 year-old Christ Church Grammar School student Louis. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Glenning said if they could stop or even reverse the damage by bringing healthcare to the community and prompting at-risk students to get help, it could save lives years later.

The Murdoch Children’s team will run an education session on heart health and blood pressure at participating schools, and visit twice to test the blood pressure of grade three to six students whose parents have consented.

Families will be informed of their children’s results, and encouraged to take them to a doctor if the reading is too high.

“Parents can help by encouraging their kids to eat a healthy diet that is low in salt and

sugary drinks and high in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, engaging in lots of physical activity and limiting screen time.” Mr Glenning said.

South Yarra’s Christ Church Grammar School was the first school to enrol in the Healthy Hearts at School Study – with others in discussions – but if the program is successful, it could be rolled out across Victoria.

Christ Church Grammar School principal Neil Andary said the trial was an opportunity for kids to understand they need to look after their health for their lifetime “and not just now”.

“If we help one child grow into adulthood and not have a heart disease issue … then we’ve done the right thing,” he said.