Do you know your blood pressure reading? If not, it might be time to find out.

Dr Zelda Brits, a general practitioner at Netcare Medicross Roodepoort, says hypertension can go undiagnosed for years, causing significant damage to the body. In some cases, this can eventually trigger a severe health crisis, prompting the patient to seek medical care.

“A worrying factor about this common life-threatening condition is that many people don’t realise they have it, giving it its ominous nickname – the silent killer,” explains Dr Brits. “The prolonged effects of high blood pressure, or hypertension, are just too serious to be taken lightly.” 

Symptoms of hypertension

While many people can’t put their finger on exactly what they are feeling when their blood pressure is too high, some do experience symptoms associated with hypertension, says Dr Brits.

“A patient may experience headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, dizziness, chest pain, blurred vision or swollen feet. These symptoms are often dismissed as merely feeling out of sorts or consequences of a hectic lifestyle. 

“This can lead to a situation where the first sign that one’s blood pressure is unacceptably high may be something as serious as a stroke, a heart attack or heart failure. For patients with longstanding hypertension, which has already caused organ damage, the devastating result can be kidney failure or vision loss,” says Dr Brits.

“This is why it’s important that your Netcare Medicross medical practitioner, as part of our point of care approach, checks your blood pressure when doing your health checks and assesses whether any interventions are required.”

Simply put, blood pressure is an indicator of how much force the blood circulating in the body exerts on the walls of the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. If blood pressure is higher than recommended levels over time, this can cause damage. 

How do I know I’m at risk?

Dr Brits says the risk factors for hypertension can be related to either lifestyle, genetic or medical factors, or a combination of these.

“The lifestyle factors can be hard to acknowledge, but these are notable contributors towards hypertension that must be addressed alongside the need for medication as part of the treatment plan.

“A diet high in salt and saturated fats can lead to elevated blood pressure, and people who are mostly sedentary with little physical activity may also be at risk. If their weight is not under control, this can cause higher blood pressure, and in addition, smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can also increase one’s risk,” she says.

Dr Brits says those with a family history of high blood pressure should discuss this with their medical practitioners. “Their GP should be made aware of their family health background so they can monitor their patient.” Existing medical conditions like diabetes, sleep apnoea, kidney disease and high cholesterol are also associated with hypertension, and as one gets older, the likelihood of increased blood pressure increases. Pregnancy and certain medications can also affect one’s blood pressure.

Netcare Medicross general practitioners and nurses support their hypertensive patients to help them manage their condition. “Your GP will assist with screening for related conditions such as diabetes or excess cholesterol and triglycerides and make valuable suggestions about lifestyle changes. If adhered to, these can be very effective.

“If these measures alone are not sufficient, there are a range of anti-hypertensive medications which can help to reduce blood pressure, taking the patient out of the danger zone for strokes or heart and kidney failure.”

Dr Brits emphasises the importance of further tests to evaluate other potential complications of hypertension, such as damage to the heart and kidneys, and to manage these if they occur. Additionally, monitoring for possible side effects of the prescribed medication and ensuring it is effective is crucial.

Can hypertension be prevented?

Regarding prevention, Dr Brits advises that there are proactive steps people can take to assist with preventing hypertension.

“Start with a balanced diet that is low in salt and saturated fats. Ensure you exercise regularly and do your best to maintain a healthy weight. Take pragmatic steps, guided by your GP, to manage your stress.

“A really big favour people can do for themselves is to avoid drinking too much alcohol and to quit smoking. Don’t forget to go for your medical check-ups where blood pressure monitoring is integrated into care when you visit your local Netcare Medicross GP.

Dr Brits recommends that all adults get their blood pressure checked at least every year. “But, if there are any chronic conditions that increase your risk, your blood pressure should be checked each time you visit your general practitioner to have your chronic medication reviewed and renewed. If any of the risk factors exist for a young patient, screening should start even before adulthood.”

Dr Brits recommends that an ECG to evaluate the heart should be done yearly for all high risk patients. “It’s important to screen for hypertension regularly because early intervention by your doctor will reduce long-term complications. Don’t despair if you have existing medical conditions that are putting you at risk because your doctor can help you take care of those. Sound advice and guidance are available to assist all our hypertensive patients.”