Over the past few years I have developed a strange “love-affair” with high blood pressure (hypertension); I never seem to write, talk or screen enough hypertension. Quite often it distracts me from doing justice to other topics but I sincerely believe all of us can do much more about this condition to build a healthy and wealthy world. You can bet that every time I hear John Legend’s “All of me” I do remember the very special people in my life and hypertension somehow also pops up. As we approach World Heart Day, talking about high blood pressure once more will help save more lives.
I do not plan to raise hypertension specialists this weekend but the ten (10) points below may change the way you think about this disease.
1. It is MOST often SILENT
a. The ONLY way to determine your blood pressure is to have it checked. Do not rely on headaches, chest pain etc. very often it is “silent”; your BP can be dangerously high but you may feel perfectly well.
b. If you have not checked your blood pressure recently kindly have it checked IMMEDIATELY!!
2. Exercise has to be regular and appropriate
a. Exercise is great for preventing and managing high blood pressure BUT the benefits last for 72 hours per an appropriate session. This essentially means we should exercise regularly to reap the benefits exercise or physical activity has on blood pressure.
b. So if you are a once a week “health walk activist” kindly increase the frequency and if you are still toying with the idea of starting to exercise then get out of the couch now. No one is too busy to put in a few minutes of physical activity daily.
c. Find out which exercises are not appropriate for people living with high blood pressure.
3. It may “PARTNER” with other lifestyle diseases
a. Hypertension belongs to that group of obnoxious diseases we refer to as LIFESTYLE DISEASES. Since our inappropriate way of life predispose us to such diseases they often attack not in singles or twos as in Noah’s Ark but sometimes even threes and fours: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and mild depression may all be struggling for top spot in a single human.
b. They all have lack of physical activity, diet high in fats and oils, sugar and salt but low in vegetables, fruits and nuts as focal points. They may also show affection for alcohol and smoking.
4. Your prevention or management of this disease MUST include lifestyle changes
a. This stage has already been set by the third point. If you plan to prevent or manage hypertension or any other lifestyle disease without lifestyle changes including diet and exercising I am sorry to announce to you today that you SHALL FAIL!!!
5. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to organ damage and death
a. We hear of many people dying suddenly and that includes very young lives. Organs such as the brain, eye, heart and kidneys among several others can be damaged by this SILENT KILLER.
6. Your doctor will request several tests to establish probable cause or effect on organs
a. In over 90% of cases of high blood pressure, we do not find a direct cause even though we will see the obvious risk factors. For a small percentage there may be a condition that once treated will reverse your high blood pressure.
b. It is important that once you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will carry out several tests to determine if your hypertension is “partnering” with other disease conditions or whether there has been organ damage.
7. Do not play doctor with your health
a. Keep appointments with a medical doctor. It is criminal to just go to a pharmacy shop and refill your BP lowering medication.
b. Your doctor may sometimes need to carry out tests or modify your medication; make time to see a doctor as advised.
8. Do not stop prescribed medication and place your trust in supplements etc
a. This in my opinion is the 8th DEADLY SIN!!!
b. Supplements or fruits and vegetables do exactly what their name implies; they supplement our state. They do NOT replace medication.
9. Your family could be at risk
a. High blood pressure’s risk factors include your genetic make-up that means it may run in families (you have the power to modify your circumstances to a large extent though). It is also related to poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity. Whichever way you look at it family members have a similar risk profile; we often eat similar meals and most times we are all exercise freaks or do not go anywhere near sweat.
b. You need to know the health status of your family members so that you may also take the necessary precautions.
10. Uncontrolled blood pressure may cause erectile dysfunction
a. If you are scared of BP medication because you have heard at a bar what effects it may have had on another man then read carefully. In addition to the dangers such as heart attack and stroke that hypertension may cause, uncontrolled hypertension WILL eventually lead to impotence (erectile dysfunction) as well.
Go ahead and make these points part of your life then go a step further and educate at least one person.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Moms’ Health Club
(dressel@healthclubsgh.com)
*Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition.
Thought for the week – “Heart Choices NOT Hard Choices”
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