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No evidence that checking kids' and teens' blood pressure - and treating them if it's high - can reduce their heart risks in adulthood, according to a new analysis.

Dr Matthew Thompson
Dr Matthew Thompson

What's more, researchers found blood pressure tests may not always be accurate among young people, or consistent from one reading to the next.

"At this point, the jury is out. We just don't know if this is worth doing or not," said Dr. Matthew Thompson, who led the new research.

"We desperately need research on how to diagnose kids with high blood pressure, which kids should be treated and what are the most effective treatments."

Dr Thompson said although most U.S. children have their blood pressure measured at routine checkups, those readings are never taken on healthy kids in the UK.

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