Fahmida Choonara | fchoonara@radioislam.co.za
17 May 2023 | 18:00 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: Tribune Online

17th May is World Hypertension Day, and this year’s theme for this crucial worldwide activity is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer. It focuses on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle-income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods.

Dr Mosima Mabunda, General Manager and Head of Wellness at Vitality South Africa joined Radio Islam International to discuss this important day and the need to create awareness around the disease.

Mabunda says hypertension or high blood pressure refers to the pressure in blood vessels that is higher than average. When pressure is measured, two different numbers, written as a fraction, are considered important – the first or the top number is your systolic blood pressure, or the pressure in your vessels when the heart pumps out blood and diastolic blood pressure when the heart is relaxing.

You are considered hypertensive when your blood pressure over two or three days is 140/90.

She explained that lifestyle behaviours put one at risk for essential hypertension, including a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, not consuming a diet containing fruit and vegetables, too much salt, smoking and if you are obese.  

Underlying or chronic conditions and also certain medications usually bring on secondary hypertension. The most common is primary high blood pressure which goes undetected as there are no symptoms.

Regular screening is the best way to detect the condition early so as not to be caught off-guard and also manage it appropriately, as it is a chronic condition that can be managed with the assistance of lifestyle interventions that medical practitioners will provide.

The condition is managed as a chronic condition for those on medical aid, and all public hospitals provide treatment.

In conclusion, Dr Mabunda said exercise and a good diet would go a long way to keep the numbers down and thus ensure you stay healthy.

Listen to the full interview with host Sulaimaan Ravat on Sabahul Muslim here