High blood pressure (HBP) affects more than one in three adults in South Africa and it is responsible for one in every two strokes and tWo in every five heart attacks according to The World Hypertension Day Fact Sheet, 2021. Many more people may not know they have high blood pressure because there are no particular signs or symptoms experienced. HBP or Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because while you may not have symptoms, the damage to your blood vessels and heart can still be taking place. Over time, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and lead to heart attack, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, kidney damage and eye damage.
Understanding HPB and what the numbers mean
Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance there is to blood flow within your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
There are two blood pressure numbers and both are important.
Systolic blood pressure (the top or higher number) is the pressure inside your arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood into them.
Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure inside your arteries when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. Optimal blood pressure is systolic blood pressure 120 mmHg (or lower) and diastolic 80 mmHg (or lower).
High blood pressure is generally defined as systolic values of 140 mmHg or higher. Systolic values of 130-139 mmHg and/or diastolic values of 85-89 mmHg are associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in the future and are referred to as high normal blood pressure.
Most adults will develop high blood pressure over time due to loss of flexibility of the blood vessels. Women are about as likely as men to develop high blood pressure during their lifetimes. However, for people younger than 45 years old, the condition affects more men than women. For people over 65 years old, high blood pressure affects more women than men.
Some medical conditions that can lead to hypertension include hyperthyroidism, abnormal adrenal gland function and abnormal blood flow to the kidneys. Blood pressure can also be elevated on occasion by pain and stress by younger people.
Risk factors for high blood pressure that you can’t control
- Genetics: High blood pressure tends to run in families
- Gender: Men have a greater risk than women until the age of 55. After 55, women have a higher risk
- Race: Generally blacks suffer earlier and more readily than whites
Risk factors that you can control
- Being overweight
- Being physically inactive
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating too much salt
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Smoking
- Stress
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Healthy lifestyle habits can help you control HBP. These include following a healthy diet, eating less salt, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and learning to cope with stress. Be sure to have your blood pressure checked if you are planning on taking oral contraceptives.
If lifestyle changes are not enough to reduce high blood pressure, then medication is required.
World Hypertension Day
The objective of WHD is to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical complications, and to provide information on prevention, detection and treatment. The WHL launched its first WHD on May 14, 2005. Since 2006, the WHL has been dedicating May 17 of every year as WHD.
The theme of World Hypertension Day, 2023 was ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer’.
Sources: www.heart.org; Dis-Chem Head Clinic Sister, Lizeth Kruger; www.webmd.com; www.heartfoundation.co.za
