Symptoms

High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.

Did you know?

In South Africa more than 1 in 3 adults live with high blood pressure and it is responsible for 1 in every 2 strokes and 2 in every 5 heart attacks. High blood pressure is known as a ‘silent killer’ because there are rarely any symptoms or visible signs to warn that blood pressure is high. That is why more than 50% of people with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition. In some cases, typically with very high blood pressure, symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, nose bleeds, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing and sleepiness may be experienced.

Risk Factors

• Gender: high blood pressure is more common in men.
• Obesity: having obesity is having excess body fat. Having obesity or being overweight also means your heart must work harder to pump blood and oxygen around your body. Over time, this can add stress to your heart and blood vessels.
• Lack of physical activity: getting regular physical activity helps your heart and blood vessels stay strong and healthy, which may help lower your blood pressure. Regular physical activity can also help you keep a healthy weight, which may also help lower your blood pressure.
• Age: because your blood pressure tends to rise as you get older, your risk for high blood pressure increases with age.
• Genetics: genes likely play some role in high blood pressure, heart disease, and other related conditions. However, it is also likely that people with a family history of high blood pressure share common environments and other potential factors that increase their risk.
• High stress and anxiety levels
• High sodium diet
• Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking
• High caffeine intake

Prevention and Management

• Move more: physical activity supports weight loss and stress management, which in turn controls blood pressure.
• Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, lean meat and fish. Limit your intake of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars.
• Sleep: Get good quality of sleep and sleep at least 6 hours.
• Manage your weight.
• Do not smoke.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Manage stress.
• Take medication to manage high blood pressure, if necessary.
• Check your blood pressure regularly.

I challenge you . . .

to go to you general practitioner to measure your blood pressure.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Blood pressure should be measured at least once every year, so don’t delay!