Upper East Reports 6,246 Hypertension Cases in Just Four Months: An International Edition Exclusive

By Godfred A. Polkuu

Bolgatanga, May 22, GNA - According to Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, who serves as the Regional Director for the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East region, the area saw a total of 6,246 new diagnoses of hypertension from January through April 2025.

"This figure is significantly lower compared to the actual number of people wandering around with hypertension," he remarked during a forum aimed at garnering media and stakeholder backing for advocating and raising awareness about hypertension in the region.

The forum gathered several chosen journalists along with officials from entities such as the Health Promotion Unit of the GHS, Ghana Education Service, and the Information Service Department, alongside various other stakeholders.

Dr. Abubakari clarified that hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure (BP) or "the silent killer," is characterized by continuously elevated pressure within the blood vessels.

He mentioned that late diagnosis of hypertension might result in strokes, heart attacks, heart and kidney issues, vision problems, and affect various other bodily organs.

Dr. Abubakari stated that diagnosing hypertension involves measuring blood pressure on two separate occasions.

He mentioned that the systolic blood pressure measurements on both days ought to be at least 140 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and the diastolic blood pressure readings on each day should likewise be 90 mmHg or higher.

He said a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risk factor assessment survey conducted in 2023 – 2024 indicated that 24.8 percent of adults in Ghana had never measured their BP.

He said 19.1 percent of adults in Ghana were hypertensive, 50 percent were unaware they had hypertension, while only 42 percent of hypertensive people were diagnosed and treated.

As stated by the Director, high blood pressure was identified as a significant factor contributing to early deaths globally. "This indicates that numerous individuals are living with untreated hypertension, and even those who have been diagnosed often fail to adhere to their scheduled medical visits."

He revealed that 74 individuals passed away due to hypertension-related conditions in 2024 and noted that "Hypertension complications rank as the second primary reason for maternal fatalities in Ghana."

Dr. Abubakari highlighted advanced age, a familial predisposition to hypertension, being overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, consuming a high-salt diet, along with alcohol and tobacco use, as key risk factors for hypertension.

Regarding preventive measures, he emphasized the importance of modifying lifestyles, adopting healthier eating patterns—such as diets low in salt, sugar, and fats but rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables—and increasing physical activities. Additionally, he stressed the necessity of abstaining from both alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

“For people already diagnosed with hypertension: take your medicines regularly, keep appointments with your health care professionals, eat healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity, manage stress and have good sleep,” he advised.

Dr Abubakari said even though some people do not experience symptoms of hypertension, others experienced severe headaches, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, blurred vision or other vision changes, anxiety, confusion, buzzing in the ears and nosebleeds.

He called for stakeholder cooperation to raise awareness on hypertension in the Region, and admonished residents to frequently check their BPs and adopt healthy lifestyles.

GNA

FAA/CA

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).