Hypertension – leaves destruction in its trail

Hypertension occurs when Blood Pressure is repeatedly at or above 140/90 mmHg. This target reading varies in certain cases, for instance, in diabetics.

Many of us have read or heard a lot about high blood pressure but it is still important to cease every opportunity to drum home some facts about this disease that dwarfs most others in terms of numbers and cost of managing it.

May 17th is WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY and the theme for this year is “KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.” Every reader of this column is aware of that so we should go a step further to UNDERSTAND our blood pressure readings.

How can one tell he/she has hypertension?

Most often, there is NO WARNING. Therefore, we need to have our blood pressures checked regularly. This is why hypertension is referred to as ‘the silent killer’. It may be harming you, but you will feel perfectly well.

Some warning signs are:

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• Chest pain

• Palpitations

• Nose bleeds

• Weakness

• Frequent urination

• Poor eyesight.

SOMETIMES, THE FIRST TIME YOU WILL FIND OUT THAT YOU HAVE HYPERTENSION IS ………….. WHEN YOU HAVE A STROKE.

None of the above symptoms is diagnostic of hypertension.

Be extra careful if:

i. You have family members with hypertension

ii. You lead an unhealthy lifestyle - drinking alcohol, smoking

iii. You live a sedentary life – no exercise

iv. You have an extremely stressful life

v. You are overweight

vi. You are male

vii. You are over 40 years

viii. You have high Cholesterol

ix. You have Diabetes

x. You use steroids.

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension):

1. Stop smoking

2. Reduce your alcohol consumption

3. Cut down your salt intake and increase the fruits and vegetables in your meals

4. Exercise regularly

5. Reduce your weight if you are too heavy for your height.

6. If your doctor has put you on any medication, take it daily (do not take your pills only when you feel unwell/have a headache, etc.).

Is the World’s No. 1 Killer stalking you?

The WHO has estimated that by the year 2020, 40% of all deaths worldwide will be related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. Hypertension is a very common cardiovascular disease and worldwide it is making nonsense of age. Very young people are dying or have become bed-ridden from complications of high blood pressure.

DO NOT BE A VICTIM: for starters, let us make it a point to check our blood pressure TODAY.

Next week we will look at the role of lifestyle modifications in managing high blood pressure, exercises to avoid and appropriate breathing while we exercise to avoid high spikes in blood pressure. We will also address some of your questions/concerns on high blood pressure.

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/Health Essentials

(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 – May 17th is WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY and the theme for this year is “KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.”