Overview of Hypertension

Hypertension is an important public health challenge in both economically developing and developed countries. It is becoming an increasingly common health problem because of increasing longevity and prevalence of contributing factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. The current prevalence of hypertension in many developing countries, particularly in urban societies, is reported to be already as high as is seen in developed countries. The prevalence of hypertension is expected to increase even further in the absence of broad and effective preventive measures. This is essentially true for Ghana where hypertension was reported to be the second leading cause of outpatient morbidity in adults older than 45 years in Ghana. At the leading teaching hospital in Ghana between 1990 and 1997, non-communicable diseases and their complications accounted for more than two-thirds of all medical admissions and more than 50% of all adults deaths. An increase in morbidity associated with hypertension does not only reflect a high prevalence of hypertension, but is also an indication of inadequate rate of detection, treatment and control. In an examination of a post-mortem record in the teaching hospital in Accra between 1994 and 1998, 11% of all death in adults aged 20 years or more were due to stroke, most of which were haemorrhagic. Hypertension was a predominant factor in these strokes. A person is said to be hypertensive if there is a persistent increase of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The systolic ranges from (90-120) mmHg and the diastolic ranges from (60-90) mmHg. Causes may be genetic, increased in saturated fats intake, too much salt intake, obesity, smoking and anxiety. A person with hypertension presents dizziness, palpitation, severe headache, general body pains. Complications include cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and heart failure. In order to control, delay complications or better still prevent hypertension, there is a need for education, screening and early detection and compliance to treatment regimen on the part of clients. The fight against hypertension is possible, it is time to rise to the occasion to save lives and prevent complication. Let us all join hands with FOHA in order to prevent complication of these two major diseases: Diabetes and Hypertension, and we are sure to save a lot of money as a nation, productivity will be increased and lives will be improved.