Facts about hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
What is high blood Pressure?
It is the pressure of the blood against the arteries as it goes through your body. It normally rises and falls throughout the day however the problem arises when it rises over a long period.
It is one of the leading causes of heart related conditions and stroke and in Ghana, it is one of the leading causes of death
Who is at risk?
Everybody is at risk including children, however there are several factors that increase our risk including age, sex, family history race and ethnicity.
A healthy therapeutic life style encompassing healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and being physically active reduces the risk.
What are the signs and symptoms?
High blood pressure usually does not give warning symptoms, hence lots of people are not aware they have it. The reason why it is so important you visit your doctor very often and have your Blood pressure checked. Some of the symptoms are headache, easily fatigue, pedal swelling,
How can high blood pressure be diagnosed?
You can measure blood pressure by wrapping an inflatable cuff with a pressure gauge around your arm to squeeze the blood vessels. Then the health care professional listens to your pulse with a stethoscope while releasing air from the cuff. The gauge measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats (systolic) and when it rests (diastolic).
How can it be treated?
Your doctor may prescribe medications for you. In addition he or she may advice you on lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and being physically active.
Blood pressure categories
| Blood Pressure Levels | |||
| Normal | systolic: less than 120 mmHg diastolic: less than 80 mmHg | ||
| At risk (prehypertension) | systolic: 120–139 mmHg diastolic: 80–89 mmHg | ||
| High | systolic: 140 mmHg or higher diastolic: 90 mmHg or higher | ||
How can one prevent high blood pressure?
- Get your blood pressure checked regularly
- Eat healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Limit alcohol use
- Don’t smoke
- Manage diabetes
By Bro Dr. Adu Apiah-Kubi, DGK, Council 116, Penkwase.