Understanding High Blood Pressure

Nairobi, 

Sunday, 2 February, 2025 

McCreadie Andias 

Hypertension manifests as high blood pressure. The condition silently works as the "silent killer" because it develops without warning signs although it leads to deadly effects. 

Kenya's advancement toward modernity reveals hypertension has become a major health concern which requires immediate intervention.

Blood pressure remains high when someone experiences chronically elevated numbers. 

A typical blood pressure measurement shows 120/80 mmHg since systolic pressure identifies the heartbeat-driven arterial wall pressure and diastolic pressure determines blood pressure between heartbeats. 

A professional diagnosis of hypertension leads to a confirmed condition when blood pressure readings maintain levels higher than 130/80 mmHg.

Data from the recent period shows alarming statistical findings. The prevalence of hypertension affects 24% of Kenyan adults while 56% of these adults have never received a blood pressure test. 

Lack of awareness widens the risk because untreated hypertension develops into dangerous health problems that cause heart disease later followed by stroke and kidney failure. 

Director of Family Health Dr. Issak Bashir declares that among diagnosed patients only 22% receive medical care and control rates stand at a low 3%.

Contributing Factors

The following factors work together to increase hypertension rates in Kenya:

The urbanization trend and changes in lifestyle patterns have led people to live sedentary lives while consuming excessive amounts of processed food with high salt content and unhealthy fats.

Traditional eating patterns are giving way to fast food consumption which results in obesity because of excessive calorie consumption while hypertension serves as an obesity risk.

Higher rates of both alcohol usage and cigarette consumption create additional pressure on blood pressure levels.

Some areas with limited healthcare access prevent citizens from detecting hypertension early as well as managing this condition properly.

Jane Mwangi age 52 reveals that she never experienced any symptoms which motivated her to get her blood pressure checked. 

"Finding out I had hypertension only occurred after I suffered from a mild stroke. My life requires regular monitoring and medication as my treatment protocol." 

According to Peter Otieno, the constant exhaustion drove him to work harder. The medical staff determined during regular testing that my blood pressure level was dangerously elevated. 

" I have found the necessary but demanding lifestyle modifications to be difficult to execute." 

Experts Take:

The healthcare professional community supports multiple intervention strategies to fight hypertension:

Routine blood pressure checks allow for the discovery of high blood pressure before its symptoms appear. The promotion of this practice depends on community health initiatives.

The public requires education about hypertension hazards and life-style wellness because it remains fundamental.

Substantial changes will occur through government policies which aim to lower sodium content in processed foods alongside supporting physical exercise programs.

Prevention and Management

People have different methods they can use to control hypertension and stop its development:

Healthy Diet: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Reducing salt intake is vital.

Two hundred fifty minutes of weekly exercise at moderate intensity helps people sustain healthy blood pressure levels.

The prevention of hypertension requires people to minimize their alcohol use and completely stop using tobacco products.

People who practice meditation and yoga and engage in hobbies as ways to manage stress typically see better blood pressure results because stress is known to elevate hypertension.