Hypertension (elevated blood pressure) is the biggest single contributor to deaths globally according to the World Health Organisation, with 28000 people dying everyday from consequences of elevated blood pressure (BP). SA has the highest rate of high BP reported among people over 50 for any country in the word, at any time in history, with almost 8 out of 10 people in this age group being diagnosed with high BP.
The good news is, regular BP checks can save lives. Because I Say So, a public health social media campaign by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), the Southern African Hypertension Society (SAHS) and Servier, is calling on South Africans to encourage their parents and loved ones to go and get their BP tested. This quick Q&A shows why and how you should get involved and how to get tested:
I feel fine, why do I need to get checked?
It’s a silent killer. Elevated BP levels have no symptoms and you don’t feel ill until you have a cardiac event like a heart attack or stroke. If left unchecked, this invisible illness can potentially lead to heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, renal damage, retinal hemorrhage, and visual impairment. It has also been identified as one of the main factors in the occurrence of more severe symptoms in patients with Covid-19. To make things worse, fewer patients have been able to see their GPs due to lockdown restrictions
How do I get checked?
A BP test is the only way to find out if BP levels are elevated and is a non-invasive and really quick measure that will immediately determine if levels are unacceptably high. South Africans are being reminded to go to their local pharmacy, clinic or doctor to get tested.
Where can I get tested?
Go to your local pharmacy, clinic or doctor to get tested.
