The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

MANY people know about the chronic medical condition, Hypertension, but very few actually know about the dangers behind it. This year’s World Health Day, celebrated last Sunday, focused on the theme “ Control Your Blood Pressure, Control Your Life.”

The point of this global campaign was centered on the prevention and control of high blood pressure (hypertension), as a means of reducing the number of people affected by cardiovascular disease.

According to The Bahamas Association of Primary Care Physicians (BAPCP), the ultimate goal of World Health Day 2013 was to reduce heart attacks and strokes by raising awareness about hypertension.
Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler, Family Medicine Specialist and (BAPCP) President said many people do not know they have high blood pressure because it does not always cause symptoms. She said it is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer”.

“ As a result, it leads to more than nine million deaths every year, most of which were due to heart disease and stroke. One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age, from one in ten people in their 20s and 30s to five in ten people in their 50s. In 2008, it was estimated that 40 per cent of adults over 25 years old had high blood pressure,” said Dr Pinder-Butler.

Dr Pinder-Butler said Hypertension, also known as high blood or raised blood pressure, is the force of blood against the inside of blood vessels; created by the pumping of the heart. She said blood pressure is recorded as two numbers usually written one above the other.
“ The upper number is the systolic blood pressure (the highest pressure in blood vessels when the heartbeats). The lower number is the diastolic blood pressure, (the lowest pressure in blood vessels in between heartbeats when the heart relaxes). Normal adult blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg. Normal levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure are particularly important for the efficient function of vital organs, such as the heart, brain and kidney, and for overall health and wellbeing,” said Dr Pinder-Butler.
What increases the risk for developing high blood pressure? Dr Pinder-Butler said there are multiple risk factors. A number of the factors being; age, race, family history, overweight, being physically active, tobacco use, alcohol use and salt in your diet.
Dr Pinder-Butler said many times persons would not be able to tell, as symptoms usually only develop when the blood pressure is so high that it is affecting other organs in the body. Some of these symptoms, she said, include; severe headaches, vision suddenly becoming blurry, dizziness, feeling nauseated, chest pain, heart racing, difficulty breathing and swelling in the legs.
Dr Pinder-Butler said often times, persons find out that they have hypertension when their blood pressure is checked during a routine visit to the doctor.
“ High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure. The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes,” said Dr Pinder-Butler.
High blood pressure is both preventable and treatable, she said. In some developed countries, Dr Pinder-Butler said prevention and treatment of the condition, together with other cardiovascular risk factors, has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease.
To “ Control your blood pressure” Dr Pinder-Butler said you must first be aware and “ know your blood pressure.” Take time to visit your doctor or local clinic to have your blood pressure measured. Follow the advice of your doctor and if necessary, take steps to lower your risk of developing high blood pressure. Dr Pinder-Butler said healthy behaviors and lifestyles are also extremely important in decreasing the chances of developing high blood pressure.
“ Remember, Hypertension is not only treatable, it is preventable. It is important to discuss with your doctor how best to manage your blood pressure and to take your medications as prescribed, unless you and your doctor decide to stop or change them. Hypertension is silent until significant damage is done to other body organs. You cannot manage high blood pressure if you do not know you have it. See your physician or go to your nearest clinic and check your blood pressure today,” said Dr Pinder-Butler.