In order to lessen their susceptibility to hypertension and its repercussions, like heart attacks and sudden death, the Ghanaian Society of Cardiology (GSC) has recommended individuals adopt healthy lifestyles and make sure they get frequent checkups.
According to cardiologists, hypertension is rapidly becoming more common in both young and elderly people, and many cases are caused by poor lifestyle choices, including not exercising, abusing alcohol and cigarettes, eating junk food, and so on.
More concerning was the fact that the majority of people were unaware of their hypertension before the sad event.
"Hypertension strikes at night like a burglar. It frequently shows no symptoms or indicators until difficulties arise.
The Vice-President of the GSC, Dr. Francis Agyekum, stated in an interview yesterday during the celebration of World Hypertension Day in Accra that hypertension is a silent killer that we typically welcome in.
Event
Every May 17, a day is marked to promote global hypertension prevention, detection, and control.
The primary risk factor for cardiovascular illnesses is hypertension, often known as high blood pressure.
Worldwide, hypertension affects more than one billion people and is a leading contributor to cardiovascular illnesses and early mortality.
However, half of those people are ignorant of their illness, which puts them at risk for preventable medical issues and even death.
The GSC held a virtual forum on the subject of hypertension: diagnosis and current management as part of the celebrations for the day.
On Friday, May 26, 2023, the society has also planned screening activities at several approved informal business locations around the nation.
Diagnosis
While hypertension may be inherited through a family history of the ailment, according to Dr. Agyekum, "more and more people are being diagnosed because of their lifestyles."
Poor food, cigarette and alcohol use, inactivity, and the adoption of sedentary lifestyles are the main contributors to the illness, according to Dr. Agyekum, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School and a consultant cardiologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The vice president also urged those who had been given a diagnosis and prescription medications to take them religiously because doing so helped them manage their conditions effectively.
"Those who are prescribed medicine must take it religiously.
Every time someone skips a dose of medication, they increase their risk of experiencing a fatality. They'd be lucky if they had a mild impact, but fatalities frequently occur, which is relatively more expensive to treat or even results in death.
The illness can occasionally be reversed, and problems can be reduced by changing our lifestyle to include good lifestyle choices.
A drug that works for one person may not always be the ideal treatment for another, he said. "People should avoid trying to use the prescriptions of others to manage their condition," he advised.
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