High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Is Increasing in some African regions, 20–40% of adults have hypertension.

 

What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) — and How It Happens

Understanding the Basics

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often without their knowledge. Imagine your heart as a pump and your blood vessels as pipes. Every time your heart beats, it pushes blood through these pipes, creating pressure—just like water flowing through plumbing. This pressure is necessary for life, but when it gets too high, it becomes dangerous.

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The first, called systolic, is the pressure when the heart beats. The second, diastolic, is when the heart rests between beats. A normal reading is usually below 120/80 mmHg. Doctors define high blood pressure as readings at or above 140/90 mmHg, measured on several occasions. Unfortunately, high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms—this is why it’s often called the “silent killer.” People can feel perfectly well while, inside, their blood vessels and organs are being damaged.

How Does High Blood Pressure Develop?

Hypertension doesn’t have a single cause. Instead, it develops from a mix of risk factors—some you inherit, others you can control.

• Family History & Genetics: If hypertension runs in your family, your risk is higher. Genetics can make someone more likely to develop high blood pressure, even at a young age.
• Age: As we grow older, our blood vessels naturally become stiffer. This makes it harder for blood to flow easily, causing pressure to rise.
• Diet: Eating too much salt (sodium) is a key cause. Processed foods, salty snacks, and even adding extra salt at meals can push blood pressure up.
• Obesity & Overweight: Carrying extra weight puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels.
• Physical Inactivity: A lack of regular movement or exercise increases risk.
• Alcohol & Tobacco: Drinking alcohol in excess and using tobacco products both damage blood vessels and raise blood pressure.
• Other Health Conditions: Diabetes and certain blood-related issues, like anaemia, can contribute to hypertension.
• Environment & Society: Urbanisation, “Western-style” diets, and limited access to healthcare all increase the risk. In parts of Africa, many people don’t have regular opportunities to check their blood pressure, so problems go unnoticed.

Why Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous?

Because it’s usually symptom-free, many people ignore hypertension until it causes serious problems. But over time, high blood pressure silently damages the body:

• Heart Disease: High blood pressure can cause the heart to enlarge, weaken, and eventually fail. It’s a leading cause of heart attacks.
• Stroke: It’s one of the biggest risk factors for stroke—when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts.
• Kidney Damage: The kidneys’ tiny vessels can be damaged, leading to kidney failure.
• Vision Loss: High blood pressure can harm the delicate vessels in the eyes.
• Aneurysms: It can weaken blood vessels so they bulge and risk bursting, which is life-threatening.
• Other Organ Damage: Many organs can be affected, as high blood pressure impacts the entire body.

How Can You Prevent or Control High Blood Pressure?

The good news: high blood pressure can often be prevented—or controlled—through simple lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication.

Lifestyle Changes

• Eat Healthily: Lower your salt intake. Choose more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods and sugary or fatty snacks.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Even modest weight loss can lower blood pressure.
• Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (like walking, cycling, or swimming) each week.
• Limit Alcohol: If you drink, do so only in moderation.
• Quit Smoking: Tobacco damages blood vessels. If you smoke, seek support to quit.
• Manage Stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Try relaxation techniques, meditation, deep breathing, or counseling.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Check your blood pressure regularly, even if you feel fine. Many community clinics, health centers, and even some workplaces offer screening. Early detection is crucial because so many people are undiagnosed.

Medication and Medical Care

Sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Doctors may prescribe medications to help control blood pressure. It’s vital to take these medicines exactly as prescribed and attend regular checkups so your treatment can be adjusted if needed. Never stop medications on your own without consulting your doctor.

Public Health and Systemic Solutions

On a larger scale, making blood pressure care accessible and affordable is critical. This means strengthening primary health care, public education on healthy lifestyles, reducing salt in processed foods, and making sure medicines are widely available—especially in African countries where rates are rising quickly.

The African Perspective: Unique Challenges

In Africa, hypertension is a growing crisis. Recent studies show that fewer than one-third of people with high blood pressure are getting treatment, and only about 12% have their blood pressure under control. In places like rural Rwanda, nearly half of people with hypertension don’t even know they have it.

Why is this happening? First, awareness is low—many people never get tested. Second, access to healthcare and trained staff can be limited, especially in rural areas. Third, the cost and availability of medication is a challenge. Culture plays a role, too: traditional diets and beliefs, as well as the focus on infectious diseases, sometimes push hypertension to the background.

What Can Be Done?

• Governments: Should expand community-based screening, make essential medicines affordable, run public awareness campaigns, train more health workers, and regulate salt in processed foods.
• Healthcare Providers: Should check blood pressure routinely, educate patients about lifestyle changes, and help patients stick to their treatment plans.
• Individuals and Families: Should get checked regularly, adopt healthy habits, take medications if prescribed, and support each other in making positive changes.
• Communities: Can spread awareness—talk about high blood pressure in churches, schools, workplaces, and at local events.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a major, growing threat in Africa and across the world. Yet, with knowledge, community support, and action at every level—from individual to government—it’s a challenge that can be met. Prevention is possible, treatment works, and together we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the dangers of this “silent killer.”

Let’s start by checking our blood pressure, making healthy choices, and encouraging those around us to do the same. Every step counts toward a healthier future for all.