High blood pressure is medically known as hypertension.

Risk factors for hypertension

Having a high level of fat (cholesterol) in the blood, old age, poor nutrition, being overweight or obese, excessive alcohol intake, diabetes, being physically inactive and most importantly being a cigarette smoker are all risk factors for hypertension. Most of these factors are preventable by teaching the community to change their behaviour to healthier ways.

What risk factors a person has to avoid to prevent the chance of developing hypertension?

• He or she could stop smoking cigarettes, stop over-eating and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and (for women) stop taking oral contraceptive pills and change to another method of birth control after a few years.
• What could a person start doing in order to reduce the risk of hypertension?
• He or she could start eating a healthier diet, start losing weight if already obese, and start taking more exercise.

Signs and symptoms of hypertension

A person with hypertension might come to you with complaints of headaches, blurring of vision, chest pain, nose bleeds and restlessness. You should measure their blood pressure to see if it is high. In your health post you are supposed routinely to check the blood pressure of your clients using the blood pressure apparatus supplied to you.

Whenever the systolic pressure is greater than 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mmHg, it is advisable to refer the person to the nearest health centre for further evaluation.