Accra: Dr Adeline Asante-Kwabiah, a Paediatrician at the 37 Military Hospital, has disclosed that children can also get hypertension, as the disease is not limited only to adults. Dr Asante-Kwabiah shared this information with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on World Hypertension Day, highlighting that most cases in children often have an underlying medical condition.
According to Ghana News Agency, the theme for the 2025 World Hypertension Day was 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!' Dr Asante-Kwabiah emphasized that treating the underlying condition, such as kidney disease, can improve hypertension. She urged parents to adhere to the healthcare team's recommended diet for affected children and ensure they take medications and attend scheduled reviews.
Dr Asante-Kwabiah noted that hypertension is a major public health concern, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating that 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 years worldwide have the condition, two-thirds of whom live in low and middle-income countries, including Ghana. She pointed out that approximately 46 percent of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition, and in Ghana, studies indicate that about one in four adults has high blood pressure.
She warned that undetected and untreated high blood pressure could lead to complications such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even erectile dysfunction, as blood pressure could rise without symptoms or signs. Dr Asante-Kwabiah highlighted the importance of regular blood pressure checks, stating, "Knowing your blood pressure empowers you to control it and live longer."
She encouraged the public to adopt lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy and balanced diet with low salt levels, keeping an appropriate weight for one's height, and reducing alcohol intake to help control high blood pressure. Dr Asante-Kwabiah also identified risk factors for developing high blood pressure, including advancing age, obesity, high-salt diet, persistent stress, excessive alcohol intake, and tobacco use.
Finally, she emphasized the necessity for everyone to know their blood pressure status by checking it regularly. For those already living with hypertension, she advised lifestyle modifications to minimize risks and avoid complications.
