HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: A SILENT KILLER IN GUYANA

Dr Tariq Jagnarine
Fam Med, Endocrinology/Diabetes

You may feel fine today, but high blood pressure could still be harming you

What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing through your blood vessels every time your heart beats. When that pressure is too high for too long, it slowly damages your body. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. The most dangerous thing about high blood pressure is this:
• Most people with high blood pressure feel perfectly normal.
• No pain.
No warning.
No sickness – until something serious happens. That is why doctors call it “the silent killer”.

Why high blood pressure is a big problem in guyana
High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems in Guyana. It is a major cause of:
• Stroke (paralysis, loss of speech, death)
• Heart attack
• Kidney failure (leading to dialysis)
• Sudden death, even in people who looked healthy
Many families only learn about high blood pressure after a loved one collapses, has a stroke, or dies suddenly. That is why this issue affects almost every household in Guyana.

What health workers see every day
Doctors and nurses across Guyana see:
• People in their 40s and 50s arriving with stroke, unable to walk or talk.
• Men collapsing suddenly at work or at home.
• People starting dialysis because their kidneys have been damaged for years.
• Families saying, “He never complained. He was always strong.”
High blood pressure rarely gives warnings before it causes damage.

Important Facts
• About 1 in 3 adults in Guyana has high blood pressure
• Many people do not know they have it.
• You can have high blood pressure even if you are young.
• You can look strong and healthy and still have dangerous blood pressure.
If you do not check your blood pressure, you do not know your risk.

What causes high blood pressure?
High blood pressure usually develops slowly over time.
Common causes include:
• Eating too much salt
• Being overweight
• Little or no physical activity
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Stress
• Family history (parents or siblings with pressure or stroke)
• Diabetes
• Kidney problems
Most people have more than one cause.

Who is more likely to get high blood pressure?
You are at higher risk if you:
• Are 30 years or older.
• Have a parent or close relative with high blood pressure or stroke.
• Are overweight or have a large waist.
• Smoke cigarettes
• Drink alcohol regularly
• Eat a lot of salty or processed foods.
• Do not exercise.
• Have diabetes or kidney disease.
• Are male (men often develop pressure earlier)

But remember: Anyone can get high blood pressure.

Signs and symptoms: Why you can’t rely on how you feel
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all.
Some people may sometimes feel:
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Chest discomfort
But many people feel nothing until they have a stroke or heart attack. Never wait for symptoms to check your blood pressure.
What happens if high blood pressure is found early?
If found early:
• You can prevent stroke.
• You can protect your heart.
• You can save your kidneys.
• You can live a normal, active life.
Early detection gives you choices.
How is high blood pressure treated?
High blood pressure can be controlled. Treatment usually includes:
Lifestyle Changes
• Use less salt when cooking
• Avoid adding salt at the table
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Walk or exercise regularly
• Lose excess weight
• Stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol
Medication
Some people also need tablets to control their pressure. This does not mean you are weak.
It means you are protecting your life. Many people live long, healthy lives by taking blood pressure medication daily.
Why you must not stop medication on your own
A common mistake is stopping medication because:
• “I feel good.”
• “My pressure is normal now”
• “I don’t want to depend on tablets”.
Feeling good usually means: The medication is working.
Stopping suddenly can cause:
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Dangerous rise in blood pressure
Always speak to your doctor before making changes.
What happens if high blood pressure is ignored?
Uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to:
• Stroke and paralysis
• Heart attack
• Kidney failure needing dialysis
• Blindness
• Sexual problems
• Early death
Many of these outcomes do not need to happen.

DOs and DON’Ts for blood pressure control
• DO
• Check your blood pressure regularly.
• Take medication exactly as prescribed.
• Reduce salt in cooking.
• Eat home-cooked meals more often.
• Stay active.
• Attend follow-up visits.
• DON’T
• Wait for symptoms.
• Stop medication on your own.
• Ignore high readings.
• Add salt to food unnecessarily.
• Skip clinic visits
A strong message to men
Many men in Guyana only seek care after a stroke or heart attack. Strength is not avoiding the doctor. Strength is staying alive for your children and family. Real men check their blood pressure.
High blood pressure does not warn you before it strikes.
The only way to protect yourself is to check and control it. A simple blood pressure check today can prevent:
• Stroke tomorrow
• Dialysis next year
• Disability for life
Know your numbers. Control your pressure. Protect your life.