World Hypertension Day
HONEYDEW - NHC Honeydew held free blood pressure tests to create awareness about hypertension on 18 May.
NHC Honeydew hosted a Hypertension awareness day on 18 May following World Hypertension Day on 17 May. According to the World Health Organisation, more than one in three adults worldwide have raised blood pressure – a condition that causes around half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease. It is considered to be directly responsible for 7.5 million deaths in 2004 – almost 13% of all global deaths. “This day is especially important to emphasise the need to check one’s blood pressure so that it can be controlled if it is a problem,” said NHC Honeydew centre manager Jackie Bothma.
Pharma dynamics senior territory manager Tebogo Tikolo said it is important for the public to remember that the kind of lifestyle one lives may affect their blood pressure. “Exercise is very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating correctly,” added Tikolo.
Tikolo says the following can help treat hypertension:
• Regular medication
• Watch weight
• Regular exercise
• Stop smoking
• Decrease salt intake
• Limit alcohol intake
“The average person’s blood pressure should be about 120/80 which will be considered acceptable. Having both low or high blood pressure is a problem as it will have an effect on a person.Sometimes however, someone may not notice the symptoms of tiredness, short breath and feeling light headed but these are some indications of a hypertension problem,” said general and aesthetic medical practitioner, Dr Christo Landman. He stressed the importance of such an awareness day as diagnosis is important so such a condition can be treated and controlled.
Details: NHC Honeydew 011 8015712.
