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World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually on 17 May, focusing on raising awareness around the dangers of high blood pressure. 

This year’s theme is to Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer by focusing on combating low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and to execute accurate blood pressure measurement methods.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most serious risk factors for death from heart diseases and strokes, being responsible for 13% of all deaths globally. In South Africa more than one in three adults live with high blood pressure and it is responsible for one in every two strokes and two in every five heart attacks.

Symptoms of high blood pressure are often rare and visible signs to warn that blood pressure is high are not easily detected. More than 50% of people with high blood pressure are unaware it, leading to the condition being called the “Silent Killer”.

An optimal blood pressure level is a reading under 120/80mmHg. Readings over 120/80mmHg and up to 139/89mmHg are in the normal to high range. Your doctor will advise what your ideal blood pressure should be based on your circumstances.

It is important to note that your blood pressure reading is considered high at 140/90mmHg. When your blood pressure is high, your heart and arteries can become overloaded, often accelerating the build-up of plaque on the artery walls (atherosclerosis), clogging blood flow to your heart muscle and putting you at risk of a heart attack. 

Some symptoms of high blood pressure are headaches and shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

The good news is you can control (and even help prevent) high blood pressure by making healthy lifestyle choices. Some easy steps to follow include a healthy diet, reducing your salt and fat intake while increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake and stopping smoking.

The City of Johannesburg remains committed to raising awareness around hypertension and is currently undertaking awareness campaigns in all regions where community members are screened for hypertension and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and prostate cancer, with uncontrolled hypertensive patients reviewed by the doctor and referred to higher levels of care where necessary. 

The regions conduct healthy lifestyle awareness campaigns as several 5km walks were conducted in the regions to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The City also conducts daily health education talks in its health facilities by health promoters regarding hypertension, nutrition, and physical activity. All facilities are implementing the decongestion strategy to make it easier for clients to collect their medication efficiently and on time. 

Together we can raise awareness around hypertension and beat this silent killer.

Issued by City of Johannesburg MMC for Health and Social Development, Councillor Ashley Sauls