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The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) encourages all South Africans to measure their blood pressure and know their risk for heart disease and stroke on World Hypertension Day.
Hypertension, or more commonly known as high blood pressure, is one of the most common risk factors for stroke, heart attacks and kidney disease in South Africa.
Statistics indicate that about 25% of South African adults are hypertensive and have an increased risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack.
“The unfortunate consequence of this statistic is that many strokes and heart attacks in the South African population could be prevented if the undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertensive South Africans were identified and provided with the necessary blood pressure lowering medication,” says Dr Krisela Steyn, board member of the HSFSA.
Major risk factor
“Throughout the world, but particularly in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension is by far the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease responsible for death and disability from stroke, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney failure,” warns Prof. MR Nethononda, associate professor and consultant in cardiology and cardiac MRI, and HSFSA Board member.
Know your numbers
Do you know what a healthy BP is? How you can prevent high blood pressure? Take a look at the infographic below and get the answers.
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