World Hypertension Day: Check your blood pressure regularly, expert urges Nigerians

A Benin-based Cardiologist, Dr. Ebose Iwinosa of Faith Clinic, Benin, has advised adults to regularly check their blood pressure, to avoid high Blood Pressure called hypertension.

Iwinosa made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria to mark the 2022 World Hypertension Day in Benin on Tuesday.

NAN reports that World Hypertension Day is celebrated on May 17 every year. It is observed to raise awareness about the symptoms of hypertension.

This year’s celebration has the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.

Iwinosa said that World Hypertension Day aimed to educate the public and increase awareness of hypertension.

“The first is to “establish high-capacity community screening programmes for recognition of high BP in those at risk”.

“The second is to promote the routine measurement of BP by a health-care professional at all clinical encounters.”

“It focuses on combating low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle-income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods”, he said.

According to Iwinosa, hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure rises to an unhealthy level.

He stated that the disease is very common and develops over years.

“Narrow arteries cause more resistance and increase blood pressure.

“This force can cause damage to blood vessels, and lead to heart attack, brain stroke, kidney damage, or nerve damage,” Iwinosa said.

(NAN)