18/05/2023
Yesterday was a World Hypertension Day 🏥💊
World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17th in order to raise awareness and promote the prevention,detection and control of Hypertension.
Did you know that hypertension (High BP) is among the top 10 global causes of death in Africa with the major cause of condition as Stroke (cerebrovascular accident),Heart attack, Heart failure, Blindness, Kidney injury and erectile dysfunction among others ❓❓
What causes Hypertension ❓
In about 90% of causes of hypertension, an underlying medical cause may not be identified. This is termed essential or primary hypertension.However,the remaining causes(secondary hypertension) can be linked to disease of the kidney or endocrine system. For instance, most cases of hypertension in the young fall in the latter category and the blood pressure often return to normal as soon as the underlying medical problem is treated.
Who is at risk of Hypertension ❓
Several factors have been identified as potential risk factors for high blood pressure. A few of them are non-modifiable (that is little or nothing can be done about them) while most can be modified or avoided.Non-modifiable risk factors include, agieng, male gender, black race as well as family history of hypertension in a first-degree relative.
The modifiable risk factors which you can do something about include smoking, excess alcohol intake, lack of exercise, obesity and diabetes.
How do I know if I am Hypertensive ❓
The only way to detect if you are hypertensive is to have your blood pressure checked either by yourself or by a trained health professional. If it is persistently high, then you are hypertensive. In most cases, hypertension remain silent and may not produce symptoms until complications arise. However, a persistent headache , poor sleep , abnormal awareness of heart beat may warrant further evaluation.
Untreated hypertension may be fatal, if you are suffering from high BP,talk to your Doctor or pharmacist.
