By Hauwa Ali
“Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer” – the theme of this year’s World Hypertension Day, highlights the need to increase awareness and access for all people to quality hypertension services.
The World Hypertension Day is usually celebrated on May 17th of every year, a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of monitoring blood pressure and bringing global awareness to the over 1 billion people living with high blood pressure worldwide.
According to WHO, an estimated 1.28 billion people globally are hypertensive, two thirds of them in low- and middle-income countries.
An estimated 46% of people with hypertension globally are unaware that they have the condition, and less than half of all adults with hypertension are diagnosed and treated.
Just 1 in 5 adults with hypertension have it under control, meaning 80% are at significant risk of complications, including heart attack, stroke, irregular heart-beat and kidney damage.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as High blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. When monitoring, hypertension is usually defined as blood pressure above 140/90, and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120.
According to experts, Hypertension is the number 1 risk factor for heart disease, stroke, renal (kidney) complications, and premature death.
Sadly, hypertension is also known as “the silent killer” because some individuals don’t have any symptom when their blood pressure is unusually high, however, experts have warned that these symptoms be reported for proper medical check:
· Severe headaches
· Nosebleed
· Fatigue or confusion
· Vision problems
· Chest pain
· Difficulty breathing
· Irregular heartbeat
· Blood in the urine
· Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears
Fortunately, hypertension can be prevented and managed, by checking your blood pressure regularly, and through treatment.
Whatever your age, you can take steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Experts say, you can help prevent hypertension by making healthy choices and managing other health conditions you may have through:
•Practicing healthy living habits, like being physically active, to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
•Eating a Healthy Diet like plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to help you avoid high blood pressure and its complications. Be sure to eat a variety of foods rich in potassium, fiber, and protein and lower in salt (sodium) and saturated fat. For many people, making these healthy changes can help keep blood pressure low and protect against heart disease and stroke.
•Keeping Yourself at a Healthy Weight can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate your body mass index (BMI).
•Avoiding Smoking as it raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease.
•Limiting How Much Alcohol You Drink can also help reduce your blood pressure.
Getting Enough Sleep is important to your overall health, and enough sleep is part of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
While taking preventive measures, it is important to ensure a regular Blood pressure check for a optimal health.