Gauteng health warns of ‘silent killer’

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) on Sunday called on residents to get screened for hypertension.

It warned that many South Africans are living with high blood pressure without knowing it, putting them at risk of serious health complications.

The appeal coincides with World Hypertension Day, commemorated globally on 17 May.

Hypertension: The silent killer

According to the department, hypertension is often dubbed the “silent killer” and is frequently undiagnosed until severe medical events such as strokes, heart attacks or kidney failure occur.

Gauteng MEC for health and wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, said in a statement that high blood pressure remains a major public health challenge both globally and locally.

“Worryingly, people under the age of 40 are increasingly being diagnosed, often due to lifestyle risk factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, and obesity,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.28 billion adults worldwide are living with hypertension, but more than 700 million remain undiagnosed.

In South Africa, more than one in three adults has high blood pressure, and of those, more than half are unaware of their condition.

Low treatment, low control

The department expressed particular concern over poor treatment and control rates.

“Of the people living with hypertension, only a third are on treatment, and among those on treatment, only a third have their blood pressure under control,” said the MEC.

This lack of awareness and management significantly increases the risk of complications.

WHO reports that hypertension contributes to 13% of all deaths globally and is responsible for one in every two strokes and two in every five heart attacks in South Africa.

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Free screenings available

To address this growing burden, GDoH is ramping up its hypertension awareness and screening campaigns.

Free blood pressure screenings are available at all public health clinics and during mobile outreach events.

“Members of the public have been urged to visit their nearest healthcare facilities for free regular screenings for hypertension or high blood pressure, ensuring that they know their numbers (blood pressure) and control it to live longer,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.

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Promoting healthy living

The department is also working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), medical professionals, and community leaders to promote healthier lifestyles.

Public education campaigns are being rolled out to inform people about prevention, early detection, and treatment adherence.

Hypertension can be managed with the right lifestyle changes and medical intervention.

These include a balanced diet, regular physical activity, reduced salt intake, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption.

“Stopping treatment or ignoring symptoms can have devastating consequences. Hypertension is manageable, but it must first be detected,” added the MEC.

The GDoH reiterated its commitment to improving access to care and preventing premature deaths through increased awareness, early diagnosis, and consistent treatment of high blood pressure.

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