Hypertension is a silent killer in our society. Many people are unaware that they are hypertensive because they do not feel the symptoms. This can prove to be dangerous. According to the World Health Organization[1] hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide. If hypertension goes untreated, it can put an individual at risk of a heart attack, heart failure, chest pain, irregular heartbeat and even kidney failure, which can lead to death.
Hypertension can be prevented. The first step is to get your blood pressure checked. This is done at a medical facility or in the comfort of your home. If you decide to check your blood pressure on your own, make sure that a medical practitioner is the one to interpret your results so that you understand what the numbers mean for your health.
Sitting for long can put you at risk of becoming hypertensive. For those whose occupations require sitting at a desk for extensive periods, taking regular breaks in the course of the workday is crucial. Ensure that you get at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly. This could be as simple as taking a thirty-minute daily walk.
If you are overweight or obese, prioritise weight loss. It is important because it can lower your blood pressure, which means that your heart does not have to pump blood as hard as it used to when you were overweight or obese. Maintaining a healthy weight requires one to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
What you eat is also important. A diet rich in saturated fats will work against you. This is because it could increase bad cholesterol in your body, thus increasing your blood pressure. Processed foods should also be consumed in moderation. If you have access to fruits and vegetables and unprocessed meat, please stay away from unhealthy food.
For those who partake in alcohol or use tobacco products, you may need to rethink your choices. For women, if you must drink, limit it to one beverage a day, and for men, do not go beyond two. If you are a smoker, then it is titme you quit smoking. Using any tobacco product puts you at risk of becoming hypertensive. Smoking increases your chances of acquiring other non-communicable diseases. For example, your chance of becoming diabetic increases by 30% to 40% compared to non-smokers[2].
Taking charge of your health means doing everything within your power to remain healthy. This is why knowing your numbers is something you should do frequently. Do not wait for symptoms to show up to begin taking better care of yourself. Get your blood pressure checked today.
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
[2]https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-effects-tobacco-use/how-smoking-can-increase-risk-and-affect-diabetes