High blood pressure on the rise in Africa

High blood pressure is killing millions of the poorest Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) each year, a new research launched last week, said. New research findings from the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), show that one out of eight adults living in Nairobi’s slums are battling high blood pressure and only half of them had been tested or received treatment in the past one year. Eighty per cent of those tested were previously unaware of their high blood pressure.

“High blood pressure is known as a silent killer. In most cases, it does not present obvious symptoms that compel the sufferer to seek medical attention – yet it is a serious life-threatening condition. It is the most common cause of heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and other complications,” APHRC researcher, Dr Catherine Kyobutungi said.

High blood pressure is responsible for 1.6 million deaths worldwide each year with 80 per cent of those deaths occurring in low-and middle-income countries, leading to extremely high levels of cardiovascular disease, more commonly known as heart disease.

The blood pressure reading is made up of two parts that are presented in the form of a fraction. The upper half is the so- called systolic and the lower is the diastolic – referring to the phase of the heart’s pumping action in which the pressure is measured.

One is said to have high blood pressure when the upper (systolic) reading is 140mm and above, and/or when the lower (diastolic) reading is 90mm and below. There are several easy ways to ensure that you are high blood pressure free including regular blood pressure check-ups (at least once a year), reducing salt intake, avoid too much alcohol and tobacco smoking, eating a balanced diet, doing regular exercises and avoiding stress.

Those with the high blood pressure condition should take medications as advised by their doctor. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more people die from cardiovascular diseases in SSA (12.5 per cent) than from HIV/Aids (12.3 per cent) or malaria (7.3 per cent).
The report says, high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for heart disease, which kills more people than any other disease in the region. Yet, a majority of Africans go without testing or treatment and are unaware of this life-threatening condition, the report said. It said over a billion of the world’s population had hypertension in the year 2000 and is expected to rise by 40 per cent by 2025.

According to Kyobutungi, a medical doctor and research expert in hypertension and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the significant increase in heart-related ailments is because more people are living in urban areas but cannot afford healthy foods and do not have access to proper exercise which leads to an unhealthy lifestyle.

The average blood pressure in more than half of the populations in low-income and middle-income countries is higher than in high- income countries such as the United States. “Hypertension is now common in the slums, especially amongst older people suffering from diabetes and obesity, but the rates of awareness, treatment, and control are extremely low - people do not know that they are sick are not seeking treatment as a result,” said APHRC NCD researcher, Dr Sam Oti, who is also a medical doctor.

The study says to date, little research has been done to prevent, test for or study the incidences or impacts of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and other lifestyle diseases in Africa.

Kyobutungi said, more must be done to curb this pandemic, adding that more information is needed on what is causing Non Communicable Diseases in Africa.

Role of governments
She says governments must review their health policies and budgets and their programmes must begin to address these lifestyle choices and poverty disparities leading Africa’s populations to a hasty demise.

Agencies