World Hypertension Day

“High blood pressure is the most cause of preventable premature death globally, accounting for 10 million deaths every year.”- Professor Bryan Williams, President of the International Society of Hypertension. When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? I checked mine today. It was 106/71. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) states that more than one billion people around the world live with hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. The burden of hypertension is felt disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries, where two thirds of cases are found, largely due to increased risk factors in those populations in recent decades. Sadly, approximately more than half of people living with hypertension are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of avoidable medical complications and death. World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17th in order to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection and control. The theme for this important worldwide activity is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer, focusing on combating low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods. High blood pressure is the main risk factor to develop cardiovascular disease. World Hypertension Day was created by the World Hypertension League (WHL) and first held on May 14, 2005. What is High Blood Pressure? High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood. The Mayo Clinic states that Normal blood pressure is blood pressure at 120/80 mm Hg or lower. Elevated blood pressure occurs when the top number ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg and the bottom number is below, not above, 80 mm Hg. Stage 1 hypertension. The top number ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension. The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher. Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. It's important to have your blood pressure checked at least every two years starting at age 18. Some people need more-frequent checks. Healthy lifestyle habits such as not smoking, exercising and eating well can help prevent and treat high blood pressure. Some people need medicine to treat high blood pressure. Symptoms Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. It is possible to have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. A few people with high blood pressure may have: headaches, shortness of breath and nosebleeds. There are numerous risk factors for high blood pressure one of which is family history. You are more likely to develop hypertension if a sibling or parent has the condition. Another risk factor is being overweight. Excess weight causes changes in the blood vessels, the kidneys and other parts of the body. These changes often increase blood pressure. Being overweight or having obesity also raises the risk of heart disease and its risk factors, such as high cholesterol. A third risk factor is consuming too much salt. A fourth risk factor for hypertension is low potassium levels. Potassium helps balance the amount of salt in the body's cells. A proper balance of potassium is important for good heart health. Low potassium levels may be due to a lack of potassium in the diet or certain health conditions, including dehydration. Manhood and Hypertension High blood pressure is a major cause of erection problems. For some men, less blood flow makes it difficult to get and keep erections. This fairly common problem is called erectile dysfunction. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. But over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of the blood vessels. It also causes arteries to harden and narrow, a condition known as atherosclerosis. The condition limits blood flow. This means that less blood flows to the penis. Having erectile dysfunction even once can cause anxiety. Fears that it will happen again might lead men to avoid sex. High blood pressure also can affect ejaculation. Some blood pressure medicines may lower sex drive. Men should discuss any concerns with their doctors. World Hypertension Day in Jamaica. Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, in his recent budget debate presentation noted that approximately 679,000 or a quarter of the entire Jamaican population have hypertension. Of this number, only 377,000 or 54 per cent know their status. This means over 300,000 do not know their blood pressure reading. To commemorate the day in Jamaica, the National Health Fund (NHF) will conduct free blood pressure screenings for 20,000 people at several locations island wide. The initiative aims to help people become more aware of their blood pressure status and the impact of hypertension on their health and well-being. Living a healthy lifestyle can lower blood pressure. If you have not checked your blood pressure in quite some time, today is the perfect day to do so. The quality of your life can depend on your blood pressure. Be proactive and check your blood pressure often and follow the suggestion by your health care provider. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #WorldHypertensionDay