NAN-HG-2
Hypertension
By Blessing Odega
Jos, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Rotkang Okunlola, a chief pharmacist in the Dilimi Pharmacy in Jos, on Thursday warned Nigerians against habits capable of resulting in High Blood Pressure (HBP) which is a silent killer.
She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that HBP is a silent killer because it usually presented with no early symptoms.
Okunlola said that smoking, high alcohol intake, stress, anxiety, consumption of diet high in salt and fat, lack of or inadequate exercise and consumption of processed food increased the risk of hypertension.
“Excessive alcohol intake can raise the blood pressure; smoking increases the chance of a heart attack or stroke.
“People should reduce their salt intake because salt makes the body to retain more fluid which makes the heart work harder.’’
She said that hypertension had no cure, adding, however, that “it can be managed by the use of drugs to control the blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes’’.
The pharmacist advised people to check their blood pressure regularly to avoid strokes, heart attacks or even death.
She also encouraged people to eat healthy food and drink enough water daily.
“People should eat more of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, poultry and fish and less of processed and refined food.
“Alcohol should be taken in limited quantity and smoking should be avoided,’’ Okunlola said.
Okunlola said that the ailment remained a major cause of death because most people did not know they were hypertensive.
“It affects one in every three adults; the unfortunate thing about it is that if it is not detected early, or if left untreated, it can cause a heart attack, stroke or death.’’
She said that high blood pressure is measured in two numbers.
“When an individual’s Systolic Pressure is 80 to 120, this means the individual’s blood pressure is normal.
“If the systolic pressure is 120-139, the individual is said to be pre-hypertensive; however, if the individual’s pressure is higher than 140, the individual is said to be hypertensive,’’ she said.
Systolic pressure refers to the force of blood that is pushing against the blood vessels walls when the heart beats. (NAN)
UBO/VIV/IS
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(Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Ismail Abdulaziz)