7 out of 10 men with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition, contributing to the rising number of sudden strokes in the country.
Ghana’s Hypertension Burden keeps widening and many families are grappling with the devastating effects of hypertension highlighting the importance of regularly checking one’s blood pressure.
Hypertension is a silent killer disease, responsible for stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.
According to the Ghana Health Service, 3.7 million Ghanaians suffer from hypertension, while 1.9 million are unaware they have high blood pressure.
The disease is more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas, with more men affected than women.
Racheal, a trader, has lost two siblings to hypertension. Her third sibling, who was also struck by the disease, is currently battling a stroke. She is all too aware of the dangers.
“My younger sister got it when she was pregnant. She died few days after delivery. The 2nd was always advising us to check our BP, but he never checked his. He died 2 years ago. The other one is alive but bedridden with stroke. It’s a very difficult thing that runs in the family,” she narrated
According to her, hers is mild so she frequently checks her blood pressure to avert same fate.
“I am told mine is mild event though I have headaches a lot, so I do check it regularly.”
Racheal is not alone. Forty-one-year-old Ama was diagnosed with hypertension at the age of 25 after suffering frequent headaches. She shares how difficult it has been to live with hypertension.
“They were about three nurses. This one will come and check my BP and go another will come including the doctor. I was admitted and advised to take the drugs religiously. My heart was beating, and I was in pain. It wasn’t easy. It’s not a good illness.it can kill you,” she said.
In 2019, the Ghana Health Service revealed that only 30% of hypertensive individuals are aware of their condition, and only 25% are receiving treatment. Latest report by the Service further indicates 7 out of 10 men and 4 out of 10 women with high blood pressure are unaware. A cause for worry.
The programme Manager for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Efua Commeh says they are more worried about those who are not aware.
“This STEP research was done in selected districts across the country and the participants are between 17 to 69 years. 7 out of 10 men with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition while 4 out of 10 women with high BP were also unaware. This means the Ghanaian doesn’t check their BP and that’s why we are having the sudden strokes and collapse that eventually leads to something. And so, we need to keep the awareness. Check your BP at least once a year. And when you check and there is a follow-up, you will be assisted with medication. Now you don’t even have to go to the hospital, you can check in any pharmacy,” she explained.
But how often do people check their blood pressure? We hit the streets and surprisingly almost everyone we asked had not checked his or her BP in a while.
Risk factors for hypertension include, but are not limited to, physical inactivity, diet, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and family history.
Stroke affects approximately 120,000 Ghanaians annually, making it the second leading cause of death in the country.
