A shocking number of people in South Africa, approximately 6.3 million,
are living with high blood pressure. This is one of the highest rates of
hypertension world-wide and provides the HOPE Centre with both a challenge and
an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage community members to take measures
to prevent this life-threatening disease on the upcoming World Hypertension Day,
17 May.
“Know your blood pressure” is the theme for 2015
“Knowledge is key” as one says and raising awareness about hypertension is essential. Global statistics indicate that only 50% of those with hypertension are aware they actually have it and in some populations the percentage is even less than 10%. Widely acknowledged as an often undiagnosed condition among patients in South Africa, high rates of poorly controlled hypertension make many South Africans susceptible to life-threatening complications like stroke and heart attack. Statistics show that about 130 heart attacks and 240 strokes occur daily in South Africa. This means that 10 people will suffer a stroke and five people will have a heart attack every hour.
“Knowledge is key” as one says and raising awareness about hypertension is essential. Global statistics indicate that only 50% of those with hypertension are aware they actually have it and in some populations the percentage is even less than 10%. Widely acknowledged as an often undiagnosed condition among patients in South Africa, high rates of poorly controlled hypertension make many South Africans susceptible to life-threatening complications like stroke and heart attack. Statistics show that about 130 heart attacks and 240 strokes occur daily in South Africa. This means that 10 people will suffer a stroke and five people will have a heart attack every hour.
Project HOPE to the screening!
On Saturday the 16th of May the HOPE
Centre staff along with Monash University, Empilweni Nursing College, volunteers from local
organisations and Right to Care (an HIV Counseling & Testing Organization) will take to
the streets to promote public awareness of
hypertension, educate patients, perform demonstrations and encourage all
residents to test, prevent and manage this silent epidemic.
“We want to
reach about 300 adults throughout the community of Zandpsruit on WHD, to
provide them with an opportunity to know their blood pressure and to seek assistance
as a preventative and health promotion measure.” – says Refilwe L.
Maseko, Project HOPE program coordinator.
South Africa – Salt reducing pioneers
Salt is a key contributor to high
blood pressure, as it makes the heart work harder and can lead to heart
disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. According to the Heart and Stroke foundation, South Africa, South Africans
also consume far more than double the amount of recommended salt intake per
day. Not only are the South Africans happy salters, the problem is that the majority of
this salt is hidden in products and consumed by people who are probably unaware
of the high salt content in their food. For example, the biggest salt traps are
by far bread and margarine.
This fact has lead to ground
breaking South African legislation by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
which will make salt reduction in the food industry mandatory.
The HOPE Centre feels strongly
positive that South Africa is setting an example with the new legislation around
salt reduction in foods. Still, however, education of
the general public and raising awareness for the problem is crucial.
We look forward to seeing Salt
Watch, working in association with World Action on Salt and Health (WASH),
launch a major national awareness campaign to help reduce population salt
intake in South Africa later this year.
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