HBP: Expert harps on regular check-up to avert sudden death
NAN-HG-4
Hypertension
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, May 16, 2017 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, Director of Stroke Action Group, on Tuesday advised Nigerians on regular check-up of their blood pressure to avoid silent death.
Ogungbo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja ahead of the World Hypertension Day scheduled for May 17, with the theme “Know your Number”.
“Sadly, many are not aware about this silent killer in our midst. Those who are also often do not take it seriously.
“This is why millions of people are literally walking time bombs because of their high blood pressure.
“If it remains untreated, this can cause a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease,” he said.
Ogungbo said hypertension had ranked first and described as the medical illness most frequently diagnosed in elderly person.
He said it is the commonest condition in middle aged people, senior executives and even army recruits.
Ogungbo said childhood hypertension was a relatively uncommon medical challenge for which the present impact is unclear.
“Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 140/90mmHg. High blood pressure is when your blood pressure is above the normal range.
“High pressure increases your chances of having stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and early death.
“High blood pressure does not give warning signs like some other diseases.
“It does not often cause headache or vomiting or anything like that, one could even feel on top of the world and in the best of health and happiness,’’ he said.
He said High Blood Pressure (HBP) have great impact on the quality of life, if not properly managed.
“Some risk factors and causes of hypertension such as poor diet, high salt and fat intake, too much alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and stress are modifiable.
“Other causes of HBP cannot be modified which includes, not limited to age, ethnicity, family history, kidney problems and pregnancy,’’ Ogungbo said.
He said excessive consumption of coffee and other caffeine-rich products should be discouraged, saying that the use of supplements containing calcium, magnesium or potassium should be minimised.
Ogungbo however said relaxation therapies can reduce blood pressure, urging people to try them.
“It is cheaper to prevent high blood pressure by life style changes compared to drug treatment, in the same way it is cheaper to treat hypertension than to treat the complication such as stroke or heart attack,’’ he said.
Besides, Ogungbo advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of checking their blood pressure or own a personal blood pressure machine for daily monitoring.
World Hypertension Day is celebrated on May 17 annually with a goal to increase awareness in all populations around the world. (NAN)
OEO/OSA/MST
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola