Why you should check your blood pressure regularly

The Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) has advised members of the public to check their blood pressure regularly. The society said the inherent dangers of  undiagnosed hypertension is the major cause of sudden deaths mainly among middle aged people.  “Indeed, only about one-third of those who are hypertensive are aware of their status while only about […]

The Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) has advised members of the public to check their blood pressure regularly.

The society said the inherent dangers of  undiagnosed hypertension is the major cause of sudden deaths mainly among middle aged people. 

“Indeed, only about one-third of those who are hypertensive are aware of their status while only about one-third are on treatment in spite of availability of potent drugs,” the society said in a statement jointly signed by the president and secretary general,   Professor A. B. O. Omotosho and Dr K. W. Wahab.

“Hypertension only announces its presence in most people after they have suffered from stroke, heart failure, heart attack or kidney failure. The social and economic toll of these complications of hypertension on immediate families and the nation at large is enormous,” the statement read.

While saying those with hypertension should consult their medical practitioners for proper advice, the experts advised people to avoid excessive salt consumption as this is strongly linked to development of hypertension and/or poor control of same.

They also advised people to eat healthy diets with daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, reduction of weight if overweight or obese and avoiding unhealthy lifestyles like smoking and alcohol consumption. 

The statement added, “We encourage these and other healthy habits to reduce the unacceptably  high burden of hypertension and its complications in Nigeria. Nigerians are advised to use the opportunity of this day and the ongoing May Measurement Month 2018 (MMM18) to get their blood pressure checked and know their numbers.

The society has also  declared a Free Blood Pressure Checks (FBPC) for all Nigerians throughout the month of May 2018 to commemorate this year’s celebration of the World Hypertension Day (WHD).

“Throughout this month of May, volunteers will be going around in the states of the federation to do free blood pressure checks and advise as appropriate,” it said in the statement.

The NHS said it has also mobilised all public hospitals and that  volunteers are going round the states of the federation to ensure effective coverage of the exercise. 

It noted that the ultimate target of the WHD is to encourage citizens of all countries to  prevent and control the silent killer. The theme for this year’s event is, ‘Know Your Numbers’, interpreted as; ‘know your  blood pressure recordings’.