Hypertension: The Stealthy Killer

Why high blood pressure can be so dangerous

High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Over time, if untreated, it can cause health conditions, such as heart disease and double your risk of a stroke. High blood pressure can’t be felt, as there are no symptoms, so people often have high blood pressure without being aware of it.

Do you know how easy it is to lower your blood pressure and lessen your chances of suffering a stroke?

Stop smoking, eat sensibly with less salt, exercise regularly, limit your alcohol intake and take the medicines your doctor prescribes.

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure puts the blood vessels under a lot of strain, and this constant strain makes the blood vessels less flexible. High blood pressure can also increase the chances of blood vessels clogging up.

Blood pressure is measured by two numbers. The top number (systolic pressure) should be 130 or less, and the bottom number (diastolic pressure) should be 80 or less. if you don’t know your blood pressure, ask your doctor or stroke nurse to measure it for you.

Managing high blood pressure

• Get your blood pressure measured regularly and your treatment adjusted until your blood pressure is controlled (130/80 mmHg or less).
• Have it checked at least twice a year.
• You may need more than one kind of medicine, and many people need three or even more medicines to lower their blood pressure to a safer level.
• Be sure to take your pills exactly as instructed by your doctor. You must take the pills every day and you will probably have to be on them for the rest of your life. If one kind of medicine doesn’t agree with you, there are several others available. Tell your doctor or stroke nurse if you think your pills are giving you problems, so that you can see if a change would help.

Does stress cause long-term high blood pressure?

Stress can cause short-term spikes in blood pressure. Taking steps to reduce your stress can improve your heart health. Could all those short-term stress-related blood pressure spikes add up and cause high blood pressure in the long term? Researchers aren’t sure.

However, exercising three to five times a week for 30 minutes can reduce your stress level. And if you have high blood pressure, doing activities that can help manage your stress and improve your health can make a long-term difference in lowering your blood pressure.

Apart from taking your medicines, there are other ways to lower your blood pressure:

• Losing weight – if you are a bit too heavy.
• Eating a healthy diet consisting of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean animal protein and fish.
• Cutting down on salt will all help.
• Stop smoking.
• Drink alcohol in moderation.

Remember that high blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for stroke and it needs to be carefully managed and controlled to reduce your risk.

The lenmed Group is a world-class chain of Private Hospitals that brings quality healthcare to communities across Southern Africa.

For more information please contact:

Dr Dominic Kakooza, Cardiologist
MBChB WSU FCP (SA) MMed (Int) Wits Cert Cardiology (SA)
Lenmed Royal Hospital and Heart Centre
Tel: +27 (0) 53 045 0560
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Disclaimer: Any information contained here is merely a guideline. Always visit your healthcare practitioner for any health-related advice or diagnosis.