The public has been advised to regularly check for their blood pressure levels and maintain a good diet to avoid death.
On the occasion of World Hypertension Day held at Tema, a Neurologist at the Calvary Cross Clinic Dr. Kwesi Hanson warned that hypertension-related deaths are on the rise and that there is a need for the public to be responsible for their health and embrace a healthy lifestyle to prevent such casualties.
Hypertension otherwise known as blood pressure is the excessive force with which blood circulates against the walls of the body’s arteries (the major blood vessels in the body).
It is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney diseases among others.
One is said to be hypertensive when the blood pressure on the sphygmomanometer or the blood pressure apparatus reads above 140/90.
It is considered to be severe when the pressure is above 180/120.
According to the Ghana Health Service 2017 data, Hypertension was the third leading cause of admission and the leading cause of deaths, accounting for 4.7% of the total admissions and 15.3% of the total deaths respectively in Ghana.
Older age and overweight or obesity appear to be consistent determinants of hypertension in Africa.
World Hypertension League initiated the World Hypertension Day marked on the 17th May annually.
The day is observed to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection and control.
A neurologist at the Calvary Cross Clinic Dr. Kwesi Hanson said bad cholesterol builds up along blood vessels, narrowing the normal passage for blood flow and increase the risk of hypertension. He advised the public to regularly check for their blood pressure and eat foods high in antioxidant also found in natural cocoa.
The Marketing Manager Cocoa Processing Company, Nana Agyeman Ansong said the Royal Natural cocoa has been found to contain theobromine which protect consumers from cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and it is highly recommended for persons living with hypertension.
