Alert/Togo: high blood pressure affects at least 30% of the population

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Extract from the article: High blood pressure (HBP) is a condition in which the blood pressure on the artery walls is too high. According to the WHO, more than one adult in three worldwide suffers from this cardiovascular condition, which makes 1.5 billion people. It is there

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High blood pressure (HBP) is a condition in which the blood pressure on the artery walls is too high. According to the WHO, more than one adult in three worldwide suffers from this cardiovascular condition, which makes 1.5 billion people. It is therefore the most frequent chronic pathology. In Togo, the prevalence rate of hypertension is 30.5%. A very alarming figure, since in 2010, the rate was 19%. The tragedy is that most people are unaware that they have high blood pressure and never consult a specialist.

Hypertension is the main risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular disease and kills more than 7.5 million people worldwide each year. In Togo, according to the Integrated Policy and Strategic Plan for the fight against non-communicable diseases 2012-2015, hospital studies showed in 2014 that hypertension was the cause of many complications such as heart failure (59%), stroke (30%), kidney failure (25%), eye damage (18%) and hypertension represented 80% and 19% of the causes of admission and death respectively for cardiovascular emergencies. 

Hygienic and dietary measures, possibly combined with drug treatment, usually make it possible to control blood pressure. Physical activity, such as jogging, walking and cycling, as well as a healthy diet are also important. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided. But some specialists fear that the objective set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of reducing the number of hypertensive patients by 25% by 2025 will not be achieved without significant changes in the diet of countries. People need to reduce salt and increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Awareness-raising sessions and free screening and treatment campaigns should be encouraged and initiated in schools, learning centres, health facilities and communities to reduce the incidence of this disease among the population.

Jean ELI