What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force (pressure) of blood flowing through the body is consistently high.
What causes Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
· Too much alcohol
· Too much salt
· Stress
· Overweight/Obesity
· Smoking
· Family history of high blood pressure
How do I know if I have Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
There are no early warning signs of High Blood Pressure, which is why it is often called the silent killer. Some persons feel:
· Headaches (usually at the back of the head)
· Shortness of breath
· Tiring easily and dizziness
Effects of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
· Heart Disease
· Heart Attack
· Stroke
· Kidney Failure
· Brain Damage
How to prevent and treat Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
· Eat less fatty, fried, salty and sweet foods.
· Control your weight by eating less and exercising more
· Eat fresh foods instead of canned or preserved foods
· Eat foods rich in fibre like fruits and vegetables, peas and beans and staples like yam, green bananas, dasheen and breadfruit.
· Use natural seasonings that do not contain salt (eg: onion, garlic, thyme, pepper, limejuice).
· Drink less Alcohol
· Stop smoking
· Avoid stressful situations
· Get regular checkups from your Health Centre or private doctor.