Blood pressure is a silent killer – Know your numbers

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes in South Africa, yet three out of four people are unaware of the fact that they have it.

Jessica Byrne, a dietitian at The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa said, “South Africa has one of the highest hypertension rates worldwide. A recent international survey found eight in 10 adults over the age of 50 in South Africa have high blood pressure.”

“This was the highest of the six countries measured and the highest prevalence ever measured worldwide,” she said.

According to Professor Alta Schutte, the president of the Southern African Hypertension Society and Executive Council Member of ISH, one of the most significant aspects of high blood pressure is that in most individuals there are no clear symptoms.

“Individuals may feel normal and healthy and as a result, are unaware they are at a high risk for stroke or heart attack, which is why hypertension is called the silent killer,” said Prof Schutte.

Individuals who are aware that they suffer from hypertension are advised to measure their blood pressure to ensure that it is adequately lowered.