By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
A Cardiologist at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr. Abdul-Subulr Yakubu, has expressed concern over the rising cases of hypertension, which topped the Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance list in 2024.
According to statistics, hypertension accounted for 6,218 cases, followed closely by diabetes mellitus with 4,474 cases. Kidney diseases, malaria, and stroke rounded out the top five causes of OPD attendance.
Dr. Yakubu emphasized that hypertension is a significant public health concern, often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its asymptomatic nature in the early stages. “Hypertension is a big problem, and we have been echoing this for a very long time,” Dr. Yakubu said. “Statistics show that almost a third of the adult population is hypertensive in Ghana.”
The cardiologist stressed that the only way to diagnose hypertension is through regular blood pressure checks, as symptoms often do not appear until the condition has progressed.
“People think that if you have hypertension, you have to feel sick,” Dr. Yakubu explained. “No, the only way you know is if you check your BP.”
Dr. Yakubu attributed the high prevalence of hypertension to a combination of genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, stress, and high salt intake.
While hypertension is relatively easy to diagnose and treat, Dr. Yakubu emphasized the need for community awareness and education to encourage people to get tested and seek treatment.
One Response
Good write up and a step in awareness creation to reduce the incidence of silent killer