Bolgatanga: Some journalists in the Upper East Region have recorded high Blood Pressures (BPs) at a screening exercise organized by the Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Bolgatanga. The journalists, from various media outlets who were at the launch of the World Hypertension Day in Bolgatanga, decided to participate in a health screening exercise organized by the Directorate. They recorded BPs between 140/99 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and 150/100 mmHg, upon several rechecks, and also had their random and fasting blood sugars, body weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) checked to rule out diabetes and obesity.
According to Ghana News Agency, hypertension is diagnosed through the measurement of BP on two different days with the systolic BP readings on both days greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and the diastolic BP readings on both days also greater than or equal to 90 mmHg. World Hypertension Day is marked annually on May 17 to create awareness of hypertension as a major health issue, and the regional launch was themed: 'Hypertension is a silent killer, check your Blood Pressure Regularly.'
Mr. Innocent Braimah, a Principal Dietitian at the Regional Hospital, who led the screening exercise, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that hypertension was a major health issue ranked among the top causes of admissions in health facilities. He noted that the high BPs recorded were not peculiar to the journalists, and said in some populations, more than half could record high BP values if they checked. He said BP was a 'silent killer' as people could record high BPs and still go about their daily activities without any apparent illness, and that the only way to know was to check.
Mr. Braimah explained that the risk factors of hypertension were classified into modifiable and non-modifiable. "When it comes to the non-modifiable ones, it includes age. It is true that the older you get, the higher your risks of getting hypertension. It also includes our race. As black race, studies have shown that we are at higher risk of hypertension, and that is something we cannot do anything about," he said. Mr. Braimah further explained that hypertension was about genetics, "If you have a relative by blood that has hypertension, then you have an increased risk of hypertension as well."
He said the modifiable were lifestyles including eating habits that could be changed, "There is a shift in the way people eat. People rely more on fast foods high in salt; and salt is a major issue when it comes to hypertension." The Dietitian mentioned alcohol abuse and low-level physical activity as one major factor that could increase the risk of high BP, saying "That is something that everyone else including journalists will face as well. There may be other factors that may include the stress of work, smoking among others, as things that will increase the risks."
Mr. Nicholas Azebire, a Broadcast Journalist with Dreamz FM in the Bolgatanga Municipality, told the GNA that the screening exercise afforded them the opportunity to get some health advice. "It is a good thing; I must admit that for some of us, it has been a long while since we did any physical exercise, and so it is not surprising that I was told that my figure was a bit high, and so I should check it. I see it as one of the hazards of this job. We are asked not to stress our heads too much, but as a journalist, that is what we do, we are constantly thinking about the next headline, the next programme we will produce, especially for those of us working with radio stations," he said. Mr. Azebire said the exercise was a reminder that as they kept up with their work, they needed some suitable time to rest and exercise.
