It is important to take care of our health as it can enable us to perform well in all aspects of life.
This was said during World Hypertension Day last Friday when the Public Health Team of the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA) went out to town to commemorate the day with this year’s theme, “measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer”.
The day was aimed to highlight the importance of regular blood pressure checks, understanding normal blood pressure levels, and recognizing the symptoms of high blood pressure, awareness and promotion activities as well as integrating all other activities in promoting, showcasing and providing health information and services to the general public.
One team (static health promotion), stationed in Pope’s Oval, while the other team did mobile awareness within the city.
Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure, is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high and puts pressure on your heart. People with high blood pressure may not feel any symptoms initially, thus, the only way is to know if this is a problem is to get checked.
Fredah Pyanyo, Deputy Director of Public Health, said that people should come to our Wellness Clinics thought the Province and get check-ups annually, so they can know their status, as hypertension is a silent killer.
The day is celebrated every year to break the silence surrounding hypertension and to encourage individuals and communities to take proactive steps towards prevention. Despite its dangers, hypertension can be fully managed and prevented when addressed early.
“You must come for check-ups as it is of no cost, when you know your status, you will start to promote healthy practices to avert the problem progressing,” she said.
“We commemorate this day to break the silent killer and to encourage individuals and communities on the dangers of high blood pressure and to take proactive steps towards prevention; thus, the celebration was a reminder to the public that lifestyle adjustments can lead to significant and positive health impacts.
With `the growing concern over hypertension-related health risks, the campaign served as a crucial step in breaking the silence surrounding high blood pressure and empowering people to make informed health decisions.
To manage high blood pressure, monitor your blood pressure regularly, eat a healthy diet with fruit and vegetables, sit less, lose weight, limit alcohol, don’t smoke, be more physically active and follow a healthy diet to live healthy and hypertension – if on medications, take them every day and have follow up visits to the Wellness Clinic near you.
