Since 2005, May 17th has been designated World Hypertension Day (WHD) and as has been the tradition, Thursday was marked worldwide with blood pressure checks and hypertension education. I hope you were not left out of the excitement and knowledge sharing.
The purpose of World Hypertension Day is:
• Help raise awareness that Hypertension (silent killer) is a major health challenge with serious medical and social implications.
• To provide information about prevention, detection and management of hypertension.
The theme for this year is: Healthy Lifestyle – Healthy Blood Pressure
There could not possibly have been a better theme at a time when the world has virtually been brought to its knees by high blood pressure.
? One Billion people in the World suffer from Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
? High Blood Pressure causes 7.5Million deaths each year worldwide. It is the leading cause of mortality in the world ahead of smoking, hyperglycaemia, the lack of physical exercise and obesity.
Due to the ageing of the population and the prevalence of trends encouraging obesity and a more sedentary lifestyle, 1.5billion people are expected to be affected by 2025.
Let us share a few points that will shield us from heart disease (and hypertension);
1. Monitor your blood pressure often
a. The frequency will depend on your blood pressure readings. Twice a year should be the barest minimum.
2. Increase your physical activity
a. No matter how active you may think you are, it will not hurt you to increase that activity by only 10 minutes a day and build on it.
3. Sleep well
a. Sleep is divine. It protects us from obesity, diabetes, irritability, anxiety, poor performance and a host of others.
4. Do not smoke
5. Control your weight
a. A little weight reduction does wonders to your blood pressure.
6. Know your numbers
a. This is no secret. Hypertension and other heart diseases have a poorer outcome when our blood sugar, blood lipids (cholesterol), BMI and blood pressure are uncontrolled.
7. Know your history
a. You have to know the illnesses other family members may have or what may have killed them. This will go a long way in encouraging you to make the right choices.
8. Set targets
a. There is no point working in a vacuum. Knowing your numbers is half of the work done but setting realistic targets and working systematically towards them is extremely crucial.
9. Take medications when needed
10. Enjoy life
Source:
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Moms’ Health Club
*Dr Essel is a medical doctor and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition.
Thought for the week – “One healthy choice will ALWAYS lead to another”
References:
1. Mayo Clinic – Essential Heart Guide 2012.
2. WHO website
