Get your blood pressure tested for May Measurement Month

May Measurement Month (MMM) takes place from May 1 and 31, and World Hypertension Day is commemorated on May 17.

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More people die from hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure (BP) than from any other illness, and all signs point to this global pandemic worsening.

Worldwide, more than 11 million people die from this chronic illness annually, and in South Africa, the picture is equally concerning.

In response to this crisis, the public health campaign Because I Say So encourages South Africans to get a BP test in MMM – a free service – only at participating pharmacies. For a list of participating pharmacies, see https://bit.ly/FreeBPCheck.

A collaborative drive, MMM is an annual global screening campaign orchestrated by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), the Southern African Hypertension Society (SAHS) and Servier.

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According to the organisations, hypertension is known as the ‘silent killer’ because there are no symptoms, and you don’t feel ill until you have a cardiac event like a heart attack.

Despite no indications or symptoms of ill health, this invisible illness could potentially, if left unchecked, lead to serious heart disease, stroke and even death.

Other complications could include heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, kidney damage, retinal haemorrhage, and visual impairment.

Gauteng cardiologist and the former president of the SAHS, Doctor Martin Mpe, cautioned that if your BP level is higher than 140/90, you should immediately seek medical intervention.

“If you don’t have your BP measured, you won’t know you have the condition until it strikes.”

The early detection of hypertension will help to minimise the risks.

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A BP test is the only way to know if your BP is high. The non-invasive and quick measure will immediately determine if the level is unacceptably high.

“A BP reading of 120-129/70-79 is considered normal,” said Mpe.

More than a third of people diagnosed and treated for hypertension stop treatment after only six months, while 50% of people with hypertension stop all treatment after one year.

Mpe cautions that this lack of adherence prevents the BP from returning to normal and has severe consequences, including an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

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Reinforcing this, Professor Brian Rayner, a nephrologist and the former director of the Hypertension Institute at the University of Cape Town, said, “Elevated BP is subject to the rule of halves – 50% of the population is unaware of their condition, 50% of those who are aware do not take treatment, and 50% of those who take treatment are not controlled, leaving only 12.5 % of the total population who are controlled.”

A combination of hereditary influences and poor lifestyle choices most often cause hypertension Rayner explained.

He added that a healthy life and lifestyle changes should be sufficient to correct a BP of 130-140/80-90.

The changes include exercising daily, reducing salt intake, following a diet high in fruit and veg, no excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining an ideal weight, managing stress and not smoking.

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Mpe continued, “When one considers that 28 000 people die every day from the consequences of hypertension – that’s the equivalent of 70 jumbo jets crashing and killing everyone on board – it clarifies the importance of collaborative public information campaigns like these.

“A simple BP test can be instrumental in avoiding these preventable deaths, and why we need to bolster awareness levels urgently. Mobilising South Africans to get their BP screened has never been more important.”

South Africans are reminded to visit their local pharmacy, clinic, or doctor to get tested.