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Testing children's urine for sodium can reveal those at risk of high blood pressure later in life, according to a new study.

Researchers used a new protocol to quickly scans 19 children who were between the age of 10 and 19. Researchers found that eight of the children who retained sodium had high blood pressure.

Researchers said that the inability to properly excrete sodium in the body can happen during stress, like going to the doctors office.  Researchers asked children to provide urine samples before and after their visit to a doctor.

The study revealed that sodium retention increases fluid in the blood vessel, which can impact blood pressure. Researchers said sodium retention can lead to high blood pressure, which is a serious risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

"Hypertension is no longer an adult disease," said Gregory Harshfield, Ph.D., study senior researcher and director of the Institute of the Georgia Prevention Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Ga. "The results of this test could also provide useful information that could help pediatricians better manage and treat hypertension in their patients," lead researcher Gregory Harshfield said in a news release.

The findings are published in the American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Research Scientific Sessions 2013.