The City Health Office (CHO) on Wednesday reminded Dabawenyos about the negative effects of hypertension.
This, as the Hypertension Awareness Month is being observed.
Dr. Shri Angelo Reyes of the CHO told Davao City Disaster Radio on Wednesday that hypertension remains a cause for concern because it can lead to complications.
“Pag magtaas ang imong blood pressure og mapasagdan seryoso kaayo ni pwede mag-cause og komplikasyon, pwede mahulog sa stroke, atake sa kasing-kasing, uban pa like kidney disease, kung pasagdan dili matambalan pwede mahulog sa kamatayon (Once blood pressure increases and left untreated, it may develop into a more serious situation, it may cause complications such as stroke, heart attack, and others like kidney disease. It may also lead to death),” Dr. Reyes said.
Reyes said asymptomatic cases are more alarming though.
“Ang walay symptoms, asymptomatic kay alarming, taas na diay pero walay gibati, so lisud anytime kalit lang mag stroke, kalit lang atakehon sa kasing-kasing (Those who have no symptoms, or asymptomatic are alarming because while they already have high blood pressure they do not feel anything, so it is more difficult),” Reyes said, adding that this makes hypertension “a silent killer”.
He said that some might also feel symptoms but wait for complications and cause other diseases.
Reyes revealed that the common age of individuals with hypertension are 60 years and above, however per risk assessment, there are some cases of hypertension in the below 60 age bracket.
“Usually mapansin namo sa among consultation, 30 above naa na gyud (Usually we observe this during consultations, there are cases in individuals aged 30 above),” Reyes said.
Reyes said that based on the Department of Health (DOH) data, the leading cause of hypertension is old age, genetics, and lifestyle.
For lifestyle, it is the unregulated food intake and lack of exercise that contribute to the tendency of having hypertension. For food, it is the intake of salty food, for sleep, sleeping less than 8 hours a day.
Stress is also a cause of hypertension because once a person is stressed, the body releases hormones that affect the heart beat rate.
Early warnings of hypertension are headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea.
Reyes said that people are advised to take prescribed medicines only and seek early consultation. Maintaining the intake of hypertension-regulating medicines is very important.
“Pag wala gina-comply (ang anti-hypertensive medicines) pagbalik ana dili na ma-control sa dati nga compliance, mag-adjust napud kay dili na mag-effect ang available nga libre nga tambal. Samtang libre pa ang tambal comply lang kay ma control man ang high blood pressure. Ayaw hulata nga dili na ma control ang high blood pressure sa aning mga tambla (If anti-hypertensive medicines are not complied with, once you take it again, [there is a chance] that your hypertension cannot be controlled by the same compliance, adjustments should be made as the available medicines may not work anymore. While these hypertensive medicines are free they should comply because high blood is controllable. Do not wait for these medicines to no longer work for your high blood pressure),” Reyes said.
He said that Barangay Health Stations are open for early consultation in cases of high blood pressure. District Health Centers, and the main office of the CHO are also always open for those who seek early consultation.
He also added that consistent monitoring of blood pressure is advised every two years for those who are not diagnosed and, for those diagnosed, once a year. CIO
