Know your blood pressure on World Heart Day

"It is time to place the spotlight squarely on one of the main culprits, hypertension, as a key contributor to heart disease," she stresses. "Take a moment and look around you, 1 out of every 5 adults you see is suffering from hypertension."

The other main culprits are smoking tobacco and having high blood cholesterol. Unhealthy lifestyle, which includes lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits play a significant role in causing hypertension and high blood cholesterol, she stresses.

There are four groups of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), deaths from NCDs will increase by 17% in the next decade.
In Africa, that number will jump by 24%.

UN launches attack on NCDs

On 19 September 2011, the United Nations launched an all-out attack on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with a summit meeting devoted to curbing the factors, like tobacco and alcohol use, behind the often preventable scourge that causes 63% of all deaths.

The two-day high-level General Assembly meeting, attended by more than 30 heads of state and government and at least 100 other senior ministers and experts, adopted a declaration calling for a multi-pronged campaign by governments, industry and civil society to set up by 2013 the plans needed to curb the risk factors behind the four groups of NCDs - cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Steps range from price and tax measures to reduce tobacco consumption to curbing the extensive marketing to children, particularly on television, of foods and beverages that are high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, sugars, or salt. Other measures seek to cut the harmful consumption of alcohol, promote overall healthy diets and increase physical activity. The overall toll of NCDs is estimated at 36 million out of a total of 57 million annually.

General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser stressed the need for international cooperation to tackle the problem. "The global community must work together to monitor, reduce exposure to risks, and strengthen health care for people with non-communicable diseases," he said.

September is Heart Awareness Month and on 29 September countries around the world collaborate to create awareness of World Heart Day and the devastating effects of heart disease. Findings from a study published in 2009, reveal that high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, tobacco use and physical inactivity contribute to at least 75% of coronary heart disease (heart attacks).

Hypertension a 'silent killer'

Hypertension means an increased pressure in the blood circulating through the body. This results in damage to the blood vessels (arteries) including those of the heart and the brain. If the hypertension remains untreated it often results in a heart attack or an ischaemic stroke (also known as a "brain attack"). In most people who have high blood pressure, there are no warning signs (symptoms) to tell them that they have a high blood pressure until it's too late.

This is the reason why this 'silent killer' is so dangerous.

There is only one way to find out if you have high blood pressure, and that is to visit your doctor, clinical sister or pharmacist and have your blood pressure measured.

Know your BP for your heart's sake

"We need to know our blood pressure readings for our hearts' and brains' sake," says Professor Gavin Norton, president of the Southern African Hypertension Society. "World Heart Day is a reminder to every adult over 18 years of age to take action by having his/her BP reading taken. All adults should have blood pressure checks at least once a year, especially if they have stressful occupations or a family history of hypertension."

The good news is that high blood pressure doesn't have to be a death sentence; you can beat it by lowering you blood pressure to normal levels. If you've been told that you have high blood pressure you should have regular blood pressure checks as directed by your doctor or clinical sister and make sure that you take your prescribed blood pressure lowering medication every day.

In addition, following a healthy lifestyle through a healthy diet, regular physical activity and stopping smoking will all contribute to controlled blood pressure levels.

Eating and drinking tips for a healthy diet

• Decrease total salt (sodium) intake and do this in consultation with your doctor or dietician. Besides table salt, high sodium levels are found in: packet soups, stock cubes, gravies, processed cheese, many breakfast cereals, bread, salty snacks, tinned food, ham, bacon, tongue, corned beef, and salami. Reduce your high salt intake slowly, one's taste buds adapts to lower levels of salt within six weeks. To improve the taste of your food use lemon juice, herbs and spices as alternative seasoning
  
• If you drink alcohol, drink sensibly. Limit alcohol intake to a maximum of: 2 standard drinks per day for men, 1 standard drink per day for women and small men
  
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for their fibre, micronutrients and antioxidants
  
• Try and eat a diet which includes less total fat and which is low in saturated fat
  
• Regularly use low-fat dairy products
  
• Have a higher intake of high-fibre wholegrain foods
  
• Use sugar and sugar-containing foods and drinks sparingly
  
• Avoid intake of beverages with high caffeine levels, - 1-2 cups of coffee per day will not increase your BP
  
• Stop the use of all tobacco products. Nicotine replacement therapy should be used for patients with hypertension while under medical supervision.

Hypertension is relatively easy to prevent, diagnose and treat. So act now and get your BP tested. If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, start by making a few small changes as often as you can. Over time, you will be able to live a healthier and longer life.

For more information, go to www.hypertension.org.za.