By Sam Eferaro
Papa Ogbeh never imagined that the occasional headaches he treated with paracetamol could be warning signs of a serious problem. At 67, the busy Benin craftsman rarely visited a hospital. Then one afternoon, he collapsed in his workshop.
When he regained consciousness at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, doctors told him that a stroke had been triggered by dangerously high blood pressure.
“Hypertension? Wetin be that?” he asked, with a puzzled look.
Papa Ogbeh’s story reflects a problem that affects many older Nigerians. Research, including findings from the UCH Ibadan Study of Ageing, has reported high rates of hypertension among Nigerians aged 60 and above, with estimates ranging from 44 to 62 per cent.
Hypertension is often called a “silent killer” because it may cause no obvious symptoms while damaging the body. The World Health Organisation defines it as a condition in which the pressure of blood against artery walls remains consistently too high. Over time, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and other complications.
WHO estimates that about 1.4 billion people worldwide have hypertension.
Why is controlling it so difficult?
One major barrier is the cost of care. Managing hypertension usually requires regular medication and monitoring. For retirees living on limited or delayed pensions, or older people who depend on their children, the continuing cost can become a serious burden.
There is another danger: because people with hypertension may feel perfectly well, some stop taking their medicines when they run out or when they have enjoyed a period of good readings. But feeling well does not mean the condition has disappeared. Treatment decisions should be made with a healthcare professional.
Ageing can also bring several chronic conditions at the same time. An older person may be managing hypertension alongside diabetes, arthritis or other illnesses, sometimes requiring several medicines. Keeping track of multiple drugs can become difficult and may lead to missed or duplicated doses.
Families can play an important role. Rather than simply asking an elderly relative whether he or she feels well, they can help ensure that blood pressure is checked regularly, medicines are taken as prescribed and medical appointments are kept.
Diet and physical activity also matter. Families can reduce salt in meals and moderate the use of highly processed foods and salty seasoning products. Where health permits, regular, appropriate physical activity can help support cardiovascular health.
WHO has stressed that hypertension is preventable and treatable and that stronger health systems and wider access to care can prevent premature deaths.
For Nigeria, that means making blood pressure screening, treatment and follow-up more accessible, particularly for older people who face financial or geographical barriers to care.
Older people and their families should also know the warning signs of a medical emergency. Sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking, severe chest pain, sudden loss of vision, or a severe headache accompanied by confusion requires urgent medical attention.
A blood pressure reading is only one part of the picture, but regular monitoring can reveal a problem before complications occur. A simple home blood pressure monitor, where available and used correctly, can help families keep track of readings and share them with a healthcare provider.
Hypertension does not have to determine the quality or length of an older person’s life. Knowing one’s blood pressure, taking prescribed treatment consistently, maintaining healthy habits and seeking medical care when necessary can help reduce the risk of serious complications.
The lesson from Papa Ogbeh is simple: do not wait for a stroke before discovering what your blood pressure is.
Takeaway
Understanding Your Blood Pressure Reading
Blood pressure is recorded using two numbers, measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
The top number (systolic) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
The bottom number (diastolic) measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
As a general guide:
- Normal: below 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated: 120–129 systolic and below 80 diastolic
- High blood pressure: readings of 130/80 mmHg or higher may indicate hypertension and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
A single high reading does not necessarily establish a diagnosis. Blood pressure should be measured correctly and interpreted in the appropriate clinical context.
Seek urgent medical attention when very high blood pressure is accompanied by symptoms such as sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking, severe chest pain, sudden loss of vision or severe headache with confusion.
Knowing your numbers is important. Understanding what they mean is even more important.
The post The Silent Crisis: How high blood pressure threatens Nigeria’s elderly appeared first on Vanguard News.
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