The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that it recorded a total of 622,849 hypertension and 24,781 stroke cases through the District Health Information Management System–2, a database for storing health service data, as of December 2022.

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These cases together with complications were reported by all 16 regions of Ghana.

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On its Twitter page, the GHS noted that studies estimate that 28-40% of the adult Ghanaian population have hypertension.

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Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common but can be serious if not treated, according to the World Health Organisation.

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The GHS observes that lifestyle changes such as eating healthier diets (diet with low salts, sugars, and fats; high fibre, fruits and vegetables), increasing physical activity and quitting tobacco use can help to prevent hypertension or lower blood pressure in persons already diagnosed.

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The sensitisation by the GHS forms part of efforts to commemorate World Hypertension Day which is held on May 17 annually. The theme for this year was: "Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer."

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Symptoms

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Most people with hypertension don’t feel any symptoms. Very high blood pressures can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain and other symptoms.

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Checking your blood pressure is the best way to know if you have high blood pressure. If hypertension isn’t treated, it can cause other health conditions like kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.

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People with very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can experience symptoms including:

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severe headaches

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chest pain

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dizziness

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difficulty breathing

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nausea

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vomiting

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blurred vision or other vision changes

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anxiety

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confusion

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buzzing in the ears

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nosebleeds

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abnormal heart rhythm

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Key facts

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WHO reports that an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries

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Also, an estimated 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.

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Less than half of adults (42%) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated aqnd approximately 1 in 5 adults (21%) with hypertension have it under control.

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Per the WHO, hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.

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One of the global targets for noncommunicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33% between 2010 and 2030, the WHO adds.

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