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High Blood Pressure: The Silent Demon Killing Vibrant Youth And Loved Ones
In recent times, social media has become a platform where news of the sudden demise of young, vibrant individuals spreads rapidly. The comments section is often filled with disappointment and dismay, with many asking the common question, "Were they sick? They looked healthy."
Various news reports have shown that hypertension, commonly referred to as BP among Ghanaians, topped the list of the top 11 diseases that killed people in Ghana in 2022.
According to Graphic.Com.Gh, the latest statistical report from the Births and Deaths Registry in Ghana revealed that 18,689 deaths, representing 36.7% of the 50,992 registered deaths, were attributed to the top 11 causes of mortality in the country.
Hypertension claimed the lives of 2,573 individuals, making it the leading cause of death, followed by pneumonia, heart failure, acute respiratory failure, stroke, diabetes, severe sepsis, septic shock, chronic liver disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular diseases.
Another report by world-heart-federation.Org states that findings by the Ghana Society of Cardiology, SASNET, and the World Heart Federation revealed that an estimated 34% of Ghana's population between the ages of 30 and 70 had hypertension or high blood pressure in 2022.
Highlighting more on this report, as sighted in a September 2022 Graphic.Com.Gh article, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, stated that the data indicated that more than 600,000 people, including 400,000 females and 200,000 males, are diagnosed with high blood pressure every year, with many more affected individuals remaining undiagnosed.
A graphical representation of the distribution of the 11 top killer diseases in Ghana in 2022
The data showed that these diseases kill more males than females. For hypertension in particular, approximately 60% of the people killed by the disease are males.
This article will delve deeper into why high blood pressure is killing both the young and old at an alarming rate.
What is hypertension or high blood pressure?
The Centre for Disease Control describes Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, as a serious medical condition in which the blood vessels are pushing against artery walls at a rate higher than they should. Known as "the silent killer," hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
How is hypertension diagnosed?
Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers: systolic pressure, which is the force of your heart pumping blood, and diastolic pressure, which is the resistance to blood flow in your blood vessels between heartbeats. Hypertension is diagnosed when the blood pressure measures 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four categories:
1. Normal blood pressure: Lower than 120/80 mm Hg
2. Elevated blood pressure: The top number ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg, and the bottom number is below 80 mm Hg
3. Stage 1 hypertension: The top number ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80- and 89-mm Hg
4. Stage 2 hypertension: The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher, or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is often described as dangerous and a silent killer because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. The disease can go undetected for years and become even more fatal when left uncontrolled.
The Center for Disease Control states that measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure. However, the World Health Organization states that people with very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can experience symptoms including:
- severe headaches
- chest pain
- dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- anxiety
- abnormal heart rhythm
What can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure?
According to the World Health Organisation (www.Who.Int), factors that can increase your risk of having high blood pressure include:
- older age
- genetics
- being overweight or obese
- not being physically active
- high-salt diet
- drinking too much alcohol
What are the treatments for hypertension?
Lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure. These include:
- eating a healthy, low-salt diet
- losing weight
- being physically active
- quitting smoking
- managing stress
In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure.
Talk with your healthcare team right away if:
- you think you have high blood pressure
- you've been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control
By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD).
You only live once; take action to protect your life. Some people stop taking their drugs when they get introduced to some herbal preparations.
Most of these preparations are claimed to be the cure for hypertension. Stick to your doctor's prescriptions and only stop if your doctor asks you to.
Source: ghanaweb.Com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.Com. Peacefmonline.Com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
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Hypertensive Heart Disease: 7 Lifestyle Modifications That Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure Naturally
VERIFIED Hypertensive Heart Disease: 7 Lifestyle Modifications That Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure Naturally Hypertension management tips: Tweaking lifestyle habits play a pivotal role in controlling high blood pressure and reducing heart problems caused by hypertension. Read on to know the top 7 lifestyle modifications to control high BP. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is intimately connected to heart health, serving as a key indicator of cardiovascular well-being. Often dubbed the "silent killer," hypertension can go unnoticed for years, quietly damaging arteries and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health complications. In this article, Dr Anjan Siotia, Director, Department of Cardiology, BM Birla Heart Hospital, tells us more about this deadly condition and the various lifestyle changes that can help fight the symptoms.
Hypertension And Heart Health: Understanding The ConnectionThere's a complex tie between hypertension and heart health. High blood pressure is a serious risk factor for many heart-related problems. When your blood pressure stays high, it generates a lot of pressure on artery walls, causing damage and increasing the heart's workload. Over time, this extra strain can lead to severe issues such as heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
Hypertension is likely to be the most common comorbidity in cardiac patients simply because it is the most prevalent cardiac condition worldwide. Hypertension affects more than 50% of the world's population, depending on the definition of high blood pressure used in various countries.
Symptoms of Hypertension: Signs You Have High Blood PressureThe problem with hypertension is that it is very commonly undiagnosed and often untreated. When discussing hypertension, we often refer to the 'rule of halves.' For example, if 50% of the world's population is hypertensive, then half of these people may not even know they have hypertension because they have never had their blood pressure checked.
Of the remaining half who have had their blood pressure checked and are aware of their hypertension, only half of them actually end up taking medication. Furthermore, of all the people who take medication, only half will actually achieve adequate blood pressure control.
This means that a very small proportion of patients with hypertension actually have their blood pressure well controlled with medication. The rest either do not take medication or take inadequate doses. This is a significant problem with hypertension.
How To Manage High Blood Pressure Naturally At HomeBecause it is inadequately treated, the complications of hypertension, such as stroke and heart attack, become common. Therefore, the key to hypertension management is to ensure early diagnosis and regular blood pressure monitoring. Check out some of the other tips and tricks to control high BP at home and keep your heart healthy:
Regular Check-UpsIt is essential to encourage people to have their blood pressure checked frequently and to take medication as prescribed. Even after starting medication, regular blood pressure checks are necessary to ensure adequate control. If blood pressure is not adequately controlled, medication adjustments may be required.
Lifestyle Modifications To Control High Blood PressureRegular blood pressure monitoring and proactive lifestyle adjustments remain critical in safeguarding against these complications, ensuring a healthier, more resilient body in the long run. Lifestyle modifications play a pivotal role in managing hypertension and promoting heart health. Here are a few lifestyle swaps you must consider adopting:
These are also some of the most easy, yet effective vital steps in reducing hypertension risk.
Moreover, stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help alleviate hypertension's impact on the heart. Seeking regular medical check-ups and adhering to prescribed medications are integral components of a comprehensive approach to hypertension management, ensuring long-term heart health and overall well-being.
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World Hypertension Day 2024: Early Signs Of Hypertension And Step-by-step Tips To Manage It
Hypertension or high blood pressure develops silently and starts affecting various aspects of your well-being, even before you know it. The condition often doesn't cause any symptoms that could help identify the disease. World Hypertension Day is observed every year on May 17, Friday. Uncontrolled levels of blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart failure, aneurysms, dementia, and even death. Blood pressure is the condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Hypertension is when your BP is above 140/90 and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. Since the condition is difficult to detect without monitoring blood pressure, it's advisable for people over 40 to check their blood pressure once in a year and those from 18-39 once in every 3-5 years. (Also readWorld Hypertension Day 2024: What is resistant hypertension; the condition that doesn't respond well to medications?)
Hypertension is when your BP is above 140/90 and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. (Freepik) What is hypertension? Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition identified by elevated blood pressure in the arteries that typically develops over the course of several years. Hypertension is a prevalent condition worldwide impacting around 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years. In India, it impacts every 1 out of 4 people. According to WHO, "only 12% of people with hypertension in India have their blood pressure under control, and an estimated 46% of adults with hypertension worldwide are unaware that they have the condition".
Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India's general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! World Hypertension Day 2024 themeHypertension Day's theme for the year 2024 is 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer', aiming to increase awareness around the gravity of this condition. High blood pressure is linked to more than half of deaths from heart disease and stroke. Hypertension can be easily detected and treated, and its control is paramount to reduce the burden of CVD.
Hypertension is also known as a silent killer due to its tendency to not show evident symptoms.
Early signs of blood pressureSome early symptoms of high blood pressure that can be noticed by the individuals, as per Dr Darpan Choudhary, MBBS, MD, DM Cardiology, Interventional Cardiologist at United Superspeciality Hospital are:
1. Headaches: We experience headaches due to several reasons, but a hypertension-induced headache usually spreads all around the head instead of being focused on one place. Along with the headache, there is a pulsing sensation that is caused by a sudden spike in the blood pressure up to critical levels. Typical headache medicines are mostly ineffective in reducing this pain.
2. Blurry vision: High blood pressure can affect the blood vessels in the eyes leading to sudden and temporary blurry visions. If the condition persists, this could lead to long-term blurred vision or complete loss of sight.
3. Chest pain: Not getting enough blood flow to the heart during a hypertensive crisis can lead to chest pains. The pain might worsen while doing physical activities and one can feel pressure in the chest, squeezing, or a feeling of fullness.
4. Nausea: Almost half of the people with hypertension develop feelings of sickness and nausea. As blood pressure builds in the vessels of the brain, the increased pressure can trigger nausea.
Longer term complications of hypertension"Hypertension can impact a person's day-to-day life and hinder their daily activities. Moreover, long-term untreated hypertension can lead to kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke, and if ignored, can even be fatal in just one year. Therefore, it is important to keep the early symptoms in mind and get a timely diagnosis for effective hypertension management," says Dr Choudhary.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can be fatal but with timely diagnosis and a healthy lifestyle, hypertension can be managed efficiently. Mentioned below is a guide to managing hypertension effectively:
How to manage your blood pressure effectivelyIt is crucial to have a timely diagnosis with the help of routine check-ups and consult a specialized doctor if any of the above-mentioned symptoms persist. Dr Choudhary shares few tips:
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