Hypertension

The Houston Pediatric and Adolescent Hypertension Program (HPAHP) at the University of Texas was created specifically to treat infants, children, adolescents and young adults with high blood pressure. While high blood pressure is more common in adults, children of all ages can develop hypertension too. If left untreated, high blood pressure damages many organs of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.

The University of Texas’ dedicated Pediatric Hypertension program is the only one in Houston staffed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians including hypertension specialists from both nephrology and cardiology. We specialize in evaluating and treating children of all ages with high blood pressure. Our clinical staff together with other providers work as a team to give the most consistent, comprehensive and personalized care.

Some children develop high blood pressure as a result of kidney disease, such as reflux nephropathy and polycystic kidney disease or because of abnormal blood vessels in their kidney (renal artery stenosis). Other children have high blood pressure because of endocrine disease like thyroid problems, while others have essential hypertension where no secondary cause can be determined. No matter what the underlying cause of a child’s high blood pressure, our team of specialists in the Hypertension Program works to find the ideal treatment plan.

When you are seen at our Hypertension Program, your child is cared for by a multidisciplinary team including physicians, a nutritionist, and a nurse who specialize in identifying the different needs of children with high blood pressure and navigating through the health care system to put a treatment plan in place. Plans might include school-based blood pressure monitoring and/or home monitoring programs to track blood pressure as well as guidance regarding medication administration and compliance.

Our mission is to maintain a systematic, consistent and effective approach to evaluating children, adolescents and young adults with high blood pressure, while assuring coordinated and individualized care tailored to fit the needs of each patient.

Team

Director: Joshua A Samuels, MD, MPH
Pediatric Nephrologist: Joyce Samuel, MD, MS
Ruby Cerda, RN
Albita Chaires, MA
Hoai Nguyen, LVN

Make an Appointment: 832.325.6516