Hypertension: A condition that could change your life

At the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) we encourage our members to take control of their health by understanding what leads to lifestyle diseases, such as strokes, diabetes and heart attacks and how they can be prevented.

With hypertension being a leading cause of these diseases and World Hypertension Day falling on the 17 May 2016, this GEMS feature focuses on a common medical condition that affects as many as one in five South Africans.

What is high blood pressure or hypertension?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls

Normal blood pressure is a reading of 120/80mmHg. Readings above that, up to 129/85, are called pre-hypertension, which may carry the same risks as established hypertension, but are unlikely to cause organ damage if treated promptly.

A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure, or hypertension, which is the correct medical term. Malignant hypertension is a reading of ≥ 180/110, and is a medical emergency.

Hypertension may be due to an underlying disorder, such as renal artery stenosis, but in the vast majority of cases, no cause is found. This is called essential hypertension.

If undetected and left to manifest itself, hypertension could lead to heart disease and/or stroke.

How can I find out if I have hypertension?

You will need to get your blood pressure tested. Fortunately a regular visit to your doctor, i.e. every one to three years from the age of 18 to 50 and annually thereafter, to have your blood pressure tested could help to catch hypertension early.

What causes hypertension?

Although the exact cause of hypertension is unknown, smoking, your diet, obesity, being overweight, lack of exercise, high salt intake, stress and excessive intake of alcohol can all assist in the development of hypertension.

What can I do if I have hypertension?

Consult you doctor about your options. Hypertension may be treated medically, by changing your lifestyle factors or through a combination of the two. Important lifestyle changes include:

• Losing weight;
• Quitting smoking;
• Eating a healthy diet. For example, replace ‘bad' saturated fats, such as red meat, diary and baked goods with ‘good' ones, such as omega-3 rich fish like mackerel and salmon;
• Reducing your salt or sodium intake. Adults should consume less than 2 000mg of sodium, or a teaspoon of salt daily. For more on this read Watch your salt intake.
• Exercising regularly; and
• Limiting alcohol consumption.

References
Southern African Hypertension Society http:  www.hypertension.org.za/
The Department of Health http:  www.doh.gov.za/diseases.php?type=36