The Tribune

High blood pressure can affect the body long before a person feels a change. That makes regular screening, movement, sleep quality and early lifestyle changes essential.

In The Bahamas, cardiovascular prevention has special urgency.

The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) hypertension profile for The Bahamas estimates that 45 per cent of adults aged 30 to 79 had hypertension in 2019. That represents about 90,000 people. Among them, two out of three people have been diagnosed, half are on receiving treatment, and one out of five had their blood pressure controlled.

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) 2024 country profile also points to weight being a major chronic disease risk. Overweight and obesity affected three out of four people aged 15 and older in 2022. These factors can add pressure to heart and blood vessels.

“Blood pressure control begins with awareness and early action,” says Dr Juan G  Lopez, medical cardiologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, specialising in complex cardiovascular conditions, echocardiography and preventive cardiovascular health. “Small decisions repeated every day can help reduce cardiovascular risk and support long-term health.”

Movement remains one of the most practical starting points.

Dr Lopez reports that regular physical activity can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, strengthen the heart and improve the way blood vessels respond. Aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling or dancing can be especially useful.

For adults, a realistic target is 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity each week, divided into sessions that fit daily life. Exercise also supports weight management and glucose metabolism, both connected to cardiovascular risk.

“Exercise works best when it becomes part of a routine,” Dr Lopez says. “People can begin with walking, build gradually and choose activities they can maintain.”

Sleep also plays a role in blood pressure control. Obstructive sleep apnea can strain heart and blood vessels as breathing repeatedly pauses causing the inability of the body to fully rest. Warning signs include loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, morning headaches, daytime fatigue and trouble concentrating.

A new study, led by researchers at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, found that patients with sleep apnea who used positive airway pressure therapy had lower blood

pressure readings compared to patients not on treatment. Systolic pressure was about four points lower on average, while diastolic pressure was more than two points lower.

Earlier lifestyle changes are gaining stronger attention. Baptist Health highlights updated guidance that supports physical activity, heart healthy eating, lower sodium intake, weight management, stress control and home blood pressure monitoring before medication for some adults with lower risk.

This approach fits a broader public health priority in The Bahamas. PAHO reported that the country advanced a Health Promotion and Wellness Bill in 2025 to support nutrition policy and prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases.

For people and families, prevention begins with information they can use. Checking blood pressure regularly, knowing personal risk, moving more, improving sleep and speaking with a healthcare professional can make daily care more effective.

“High blood pressure is common, and it deserves attention at every stage,” Dr Lopez says. “The earlier people build healthier routines, the more opportunity they have to protect their future health.”