Take your medication
THIS year, the theme for World Hypertension Day is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer. This theme emphasises that detection is the first line of defence.
As very few people with high blood pressure experience symptoms, it is crucial to have your blood pressure measured annually. Luckily, this is a quick process, and your local GP, clinic or pharmacy will be able to assist.
The good news is that hypertension can be managed. Through medication and lifestyle adjustments, blood pressure can be kept under control, reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Keep your blood pressure in check:
Medication
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor might have prescribed anti-hypertensive medication. Medication plays a vital role in controlling high blood pressure, and initially, regular follow-up appointments with your doctor might also be required to ensure the efficacy of the prescribed medication and dosage.
Yet, many living with the condition still fail to take their medication regularly simply because they do not feel ill.
Although you may not experience any symptoms, it is essential to follow “doctor’s orders” to maintain stable blood pressure and lessen the risk of a life-threatening disease.
Exercise
Physical activity holds many benefits, from enhanced mood and reduced stress levels to lower body weight and improved cardiovascular fitness. All these factors also help to reduce blood pressure. It is recommended to do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise daily. This means exercise that increases your heart rate and leaves you slightly out of breath. Start at an activity level you feel comfortable at and gradually build the intensity and duration of exercise.
Nutrition
A diet low in salt and saturated fats and high in antioxidants and fibre is recommended to promote heart health. As salt directly affects blood pressure, we should try to consume as little salt as possible.
When we think about salt, we tend to only recognise the white “salt shaker” salt as added salt in all our meals when, in fact, many other ingredients contain high amounts of hidden salt.
This includes processed and cured meats, stock cubes, soup powders and even bread and processed cereals.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa has developed the Heart Mark programme, where foods that meet the criteria to be considered hearthealthy are marked with the heart mark logo.
With some exercise, healthy eating habits and the correct medication, you can take control of hypertension, so heed this year’s theme: measure your blood pressure accurately, control it and live longer.