Almost half of Africans ‘have high blood pressure’

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Almost half of Africans ‘have high blood pressure’

1:46 CAT | 20 Dec 2016

AFP (File photo) / Smoking, drinking alcohol and eating too much all increase risk of disease

An estimated 46% of Africans suffer high blood pressure – the highest worldwide, according to a new a World Health Organization (WHO) survey seen by the AFP news agency.

AFP goes on to say that the WHO survey of 33 countries shows that most adults in Africa have unhealthy habits.

Report author Abdikamal Alisalad told AFP that he attributed this to urbanisation and growing incomes.

But he added that he was still shocked by the finding:

“We thought we would not see this kind of situation currently. We were expecting it maybe 30 or 40 years from now.”

Why do Africans have high blood pressure?

Do you exercise often, eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, and abstain from tobacco and alcohol?

If not, then there is a chance of getting a non-communicable disease, such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes.

In half of the African countries surveyed in a World Health Organization (WHO) report we mentioned earlier, a quarter of adults had at least three risk factors, increasing the probability that they will get one or more of these illnesses sometime in their lives.

The WHO report shows that African women above 45 are at a higher risk of getting these diseases.

While tobacco and alcohol use is lower in Africa compared to other regions, the prevalence of hypertension – otherwise known as high blood pressure – is the highest in the world affecting nearly half the adult population.

WHO says the trend is worrisome as the condition is a silent killer, often discovered when it’s too late.

The continent is also the only place with a double burden of under nutrition and obesity.

Yet all these health issues can be prevented by eating right, drinking in moderation and exercising.

If such precautions are not taken, it could cost governments a lot more to provide treatment in the coming years.

Source: BBC