Keta Health Directorate Marks World Hypertension Day with Public Education

By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu

Keta (VR), May 17, GNA - The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region organized an event to educate residents about the significance of observing "World Hypertension Day." This initiative aimed at raising awareness regarding the causes, impacts, and preventive measures related to hypertension.

The workout aimed at informing people about the realities, myths, potential issues, and ways to reduce the risk factors associated with high blood pressure.

Ms. Dora Kugbonu, the Public Health Promotion Officer at the Keta Municipal Health Directorate, spoke with the Ghana News Agency during an interview to mark the occasion. She explained that this health issue involves persistently elevated blood pressure, typically reaching levels of 140/90 mmHg or higher in patients.

"Hypertension can go unnoticed without any warning signs or symptoms until it becomes severe, which is why everyone should schedule regular visits to healthcare centers for timely diagnosis," she explained.

She mentioned that although everyone faced the possibility of developing hypertension, some individuals had an increased risk because they encountered specific danger zones like consuming too much salt, ingesting fatty foods, not getting enough physical activity, drinking large amounts of alcohol, and smoking, amongst other things.

Madam Kugbonu stated that some risks associated with hypertension might not be changeable; however, individuals can manage certain aspects like consuming too much salt, eating food rich in fats and oils, and failing to engage in consistent physical activity.

There could also be modifiable factors such as family history, ageing, existing diabetes or kidney disease among others.

"To prevent the complexities associated with high blood pressure, it’s important to follow medical recommendations, take medications as directed, keep all your doctor's appointments, and cut down on stress-inducing activities," she stated.

She outlined some complications of hypertension as blindness, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, stroke, kidney failure and death, but explained that while the disease was not communicable which could be transmitted or transfer from one person to another.

She recommended that people should regularly visit nearby healthcare centers to undergo screenings for prompt identification of issues related to symptoms like intense headaches, vertigo, impaired vision, or other visual disturbances.

The Keta Municipal Health Directorate initiated a free blood pressure screening campaign open to everyone starting from May 17th until the end of the month. They encouraged people to value their well-being by going to the Keta Municipal Hospital to get tested.

Madam Kugbonu stated that World Hypertension Day is observed every year on May 17th, with the theme for 2025 being "Measure Your Blood Pressure accurately, control it, live longer."

GNA

MA/CAA

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