BP – the silent killer

STATISTICS SA figures on the top 10 leading causes of death in South Africa, based on all death notification forms maintained by the Department of Home Affairs, show that noncommunicable diseases account for 57.4% of the 456 612 deaths that occurred in 2016.

Tuberculosis (6.5%) maintained its ranking as the leading cause of death in South Africa, while diabetes accounted for 5.5%, followed by other forms of heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases, which both ranked third at 5.1%. HIV was the fifth biggest killer at 4.8%.

Today is World Hypertension Day and an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about one of the most serious challenges faced by health-care services. Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure (BP), is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA says an estimated 11 million South Africans live with hypertension.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is responsible for 65% of kidney disease in South Africa, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease.

One in three South Africans 15 years and older have hypertension, with the highest rate of high blood pressure reported among people aged 50 and over for any country in the world.

To keep one’s blood pressure from getting too high, researchers recommend eating a balanced and healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables.

Reduce your intake of salt to less than 2 300 milligrams a day, cut back on alcohol to two drinks or less for men a day and one drink or less for women, and be sure to get regular exercise – at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week.