Being a major contributing factor for heart disease, the burden of hypertension has increased significantly in the last decade in Ghana.
On average, one in four adults in Ghana has hypertension. In her thirties, Matilda shares her story about how her diagnosis of hypertension, also known as High Blood Pressure, BP, is bringing fears of the unknown in her life.
“Ever since I was informed by the doctor that I am hypertensive, I have not been myself. My parents never had issues with their blood pressure so why me? I just do not know why my blood pressure is high. I am in a state of confusion, because I am scared, I will die.” Matilda said.
According to her, this is the most dreaded news ever to hear because of the psychological tensions she has been experiencing since she heard about her diagnosis.
The mother of three and the Senior Cook for a Basic School in the capital city, Accra, further recounted the events leading to her diagnosis of hypertension. She said that she regained consciousness at the 37 Military Hospital after passing out for some hours.
“I woke up in the evening at the hospital where I was receiving medical treatment and my husband informed me about what happened earlier at home. Although the doctor says I would be fit again, if I religiously follow the required treatment, I am still afraid. However, I am certain I would be perfectly well after treatment”, she emphasised.
I caught up with Matilda when she was being prepped to undergo an ECG scan, which is an electrocardiogram, a quick test to check the heartbeat. She said early diagnosis and treatment kept her alive.
“I don’t know where I would have been if my husband had not helped me to seek early treatment,” she stated.
Matilda’s Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Mildred Frimpong noted that daily, she receives cases from persons between 20 to 40 years old who have either been diagnosed with all types of heart related diseases, especially hypertension.
“If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood. In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher” Mildred said, while encouraging Matilda to adhere to her treatment.
A pharmacist, Victoria Adams reiterated that with required treatment with the right medications and a healthy lifestyle, one’s blood pressure will be controlled, and hypertension can be well managed.
Victoria further said that hypertension poses a global health challenge, emerging as a leading yet preventable cause of morbidity and mortality so adherence to the antihypertensive therapy plays a significant role in determining the clinical outcomes of hypertension.
The World Health Organization (WHO), reports that over 1.3 billion individuals worldwide suffer from hypertension, contributing to more than 7 million annual deaths.
Alarming projections anticipate a 30% surge in global hypertension prevalence by 2025, particularly affecting low and middle-income countries.
Health experts say in terms of your heart, there is a strong link between hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Blockages and coronary artery disease development can also be accelerated by hypertension. A weak heart muscle is another consequence of uncontrolled hypertension.
According to the President of the Ghanaian Society of Cardiology and a Cardiologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr Collins Kokro, currently, heart disease is affecting the productive group of Ghanaians, and this is a worrying concern.
“Although there is the genetic aspect of heart disease, the fast way of life such as the consumption of junk foods and environmental pollution could put one at risk for premature heart disease and high blood pressure. 80 percent of deaths as a result of cardiovascular disease is preventable so I would advise everyone to eat healthy, avoid too much sodium and be physically fit. These are the simple things you can do to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.” Dr Kokro emphasised.
Hypertension has earned the harsh nickname “the silent killer” because a lot of people show no signs that something might be wrong until they suffer a problem caused by the hypertension, which can be as severe as a heart attack.
