Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is responsible for around 50% of all heart disease and stroke cases globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
As World Hypertension Day is commemorated today – Wednesday, 17 May – it is crucial to remember the importance of monitoring your blood pressure and taking steps to manage hypertension.
“High blood pressure is a silent killer, and about 46% of people do not realise they have it until it is too late,” says Lizeth Kruger, Dis-Chem Baby City clinic executive.
It is also a grave concern for pregnant women who are a high-risk group as hypertension accounts for almost 15% of maternal deaths in South Africa, Kruger says.
Six must-know facts on hypertension
1. Hypertension can damage your arteries and increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
2. Hypertension can be asymptomatic, meaning most people with hypertension do not experience any symptoms, which is why it is often called the “silent killer”. Regular blood pressure checks are important to identify hypertension early on.
3. Hypertension during pregnancy can affect the baby’s health. This can lead to low birth weight, premature birth and, in other cases, maternal death.
4. Certain factors can increase the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy. These include obesity, diabetes, and a history of hypertension.
5. Simple lifestyle changes can help manage high blood pressure. A healthy diet, regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking can all help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
6. Hypertension can be hereditary. If your parents or siblings have hypertension, you may be at a higher risk of developing it as well. Regular blood pressure checks are important for individuals with a family history of hypertension.
The South African Hypertension Society agreed with what Kruger says, confirming that almost half of South Africans are living with hypertension without knowing it.
Ryan Snodgrass, CVS1 product manager at Pharma Dynamics, says not knowing your blood pressure status can be harmful as it may inadvertently prevent people from seeking care when they need to.
Many also do not know what a normal or healthy reading should be.
Snodgrass explains: “Blood pressure is reported with two numbers. The top figure is your systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats.
“The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in your arteries, while your heart is resting between heartbeats.
“When your blood pressure is too high, your heart has to work harder to pump the blood through your body. This places tremendous strain on the heart, which could eventually lead to heart failure.”
“Normal blood pressure is measured at or under 120 systolic over 80 diastolic.
“If your reading is 120 to 129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic, your blood pressure is elevated. If you fall into this category, you are likely to develop hypertension and need to start making certain lifestyle changes to keep your blood pressure in check.
“A hypertensive crisis occurs when your reading is above 180 over 120. Blood pressure this high can damage your blood vessels and lead to a stroke. Therefore, immediate medical attention is required to stabilise your blood pressure.
“Staying up to date with your blood pressure screenings is the best way to identify elevated blood pressure levels when there is still time to treat it,” urges Snodgrass.
Tips to ensure a healthy blood pressure:
1. Reduce your salt intake to under one teaspoon a day. Too much sodium increases your blood pressure.
2. Limit alcohol use. Drinking alcohol increases your blood pressure, therefore try stick to the recommended limits if you find it hard to abstain.
3. Exercise regularly (daily if you can) for at least 30 minutes at a time.
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and other metabolic conditions.
5. Quit smoking or vaping. Both can harm your heart and blood vessels, contributing to hypertension.
6. Find healthy ways to manage your stress.
7. Monitor your blood pressure regularly at home with a validated cuff-style monitor that goes on your upper arm.
8. Consult your doctor about your blood pressure, who will be able to advise the best strategy for you.
10. Take medicine as prescribed, while also following a healthy lifestyle.
Follow the Cooking from the Heart DASH diet plan, which is available for free on mydynamics.co.za, and search for recipes. Endorsed by The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa (HSFSA), this healthy eating plan is designed to prevent and treat hypertension. The diet includes food that is rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium, and limits food high in saturated fat and sugars.
Being proactive about your health and knowing your blood pressure readings can be a lifesaver, he concludes.
