World Hypertension Day was observed on May 17, but even if it passed you by, the message remains urgent: hypertension is quietly putting nearly half of South Africa’s adult population at risk.
Often called the “silent killer,” hypertension, or high blood pressure, can creep in without any obvious symptoms. Left unmanaged, it dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and even death. In South Africa, cardiovascular disease, mostly linked to hypertension, accounts for 1 in 6 deaths.
And here’s the kicker: only 19% of men and 29% of women with high blood pressure even know they have it.
What is hypertension?
It happens when the force of blood flowing through your arteries stays consistently high, typically anything from 130/80 mm Hg and up. While some people experience symptoms like chest pain, headaches, or dizziness, most don’t notice anything at all until it’s too late.
Beyond the personal toll, hypertension hits the economy hard too, costing South Africa around R39.5 billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
So what can you do about it?
Preventing or managing high blood pressure doesn’t require extreme measures. In fact, small daily changes can make a massive impact:
- Check your blood pressure regularly, even if you feel fine.
- Eat smart: Less salt, more leafy greens, whole grains, and fibre.
- Stay active: Walking, stretching, dancing—just move.
- Lower your stress levels: Whether it’s deep breathing or ditching your phone for an hour.
- Stick to your meds if prescribed, and don’t skip check-ups.
The good news? More tools and resources are now available to help South Africans stay on top of their health. Platforms like Unu Health are making it easier to track and manage your blood pressure from the comfort of your home.
Visit www.unuhealth.org for free tools and guidance on managing hypertension.
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