World Health Organization (WHO) attributes Hypertension or high blood pressure as the leading cause of cardiovascular deaths. The theme for World Hypertension Day, May 17th, 2011 is “Know Your Numbers and Target Your Blood Pressure”. This silent killer, high blood pressure (Hypertension) has no specific symptoms and is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated or high. “Globally, over 1.5 billion people suffer from hypertension and 7 million people die each year.
World Hypertension Day aims to highlight the complications of high blood pressure such as stroke, heart and kidney diseases and to communicate to the public information on prevention, detection and early treatment of high blood pressure.
Predisposing factors or factors that make you more likely to develop high blood pressure are being over weight, having a family history of hypertension, being black or of African decent and lack of physical activity. High consumption of sodium in our foods is also a major cause of hypertension in about 3 of 10 adults. Sodium or in other words SALT – can literally be a fatal attraction! Currently, about 80% of the sodium we consume comes from packaged, restaurant and fast foods.
Today we encourage each and everyone within the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond to get your blood pressure checked, „Know Your Numbers and Target Your Blood Pressure”. As a matter of priority, visit our Primary Health Clinics throughout the islands and have your blood pressure checked.
Some helpful tips to remember:
Maintain your blood pressure; keep your weight in check……
Eat a rainbow of colours. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake.
Eat fruit and nuts in their natural form as a snack.
Be physically active. Try walking, biking, or swimming for 30 to 60 minutes on
most days.
Cut down on foods such as cheese, chips, bacon, table sauces, coated chicken,
salted nuts and canned meats.
Eat fewer processed and fast foods like cookies, breakfast cereals, bread, burgers,
cakes, pies and pizza.
Be food label conscious – get to know what you are eating.
Don‟t skip meals. Eat three adequate meals a day.
Reducing your portion size and avoiding unnecessary carbohydrates is an easy way to cut back without feeling deprived.
If you drink, do not have more than two alcoholic drinks a day and Quit smoking.
Manage stress levels.
For those who may be affected by hypertension already; we must control it!
Measure your blood pressure regularly.
If it is high, see your health care provider to get an assessment.
If you are currently on medication, be sure to take your medications regularly,
and consult your doctor about losing weight.
Reduce your sodium intake as much as possible.
Don‟t add extra salt when cooking and leave the salt shaker off the dinner table.
Try using fresh herbs and dried spices instead of salt.
Instead of buying ready made sauces laden with sodium have fun making your
own sauce.
Read food labels on products for sodium content.
Manage stress levels
The National Health Planning and Promotion Unit and by extension the Ministry of Health and Human Services encourages the public to appreciate the importance of health screening such as blood pressure and weight checks and have yours measured today.
World Hypertension Day 2011; Know Your Numbers and Target Your Blood Pressure.
