"This World Hypertension Day and May Measure Month, Discovery Health encourages everyone to make regular blood pressure checks a priority,” says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical officer at Discovery Health. “Blood pressure checks are a very quick and easy way to know one’s risk of chronic high blood pressure - also called hypertension.”
Hypertension on the rise in young medical scheme members
Hypertension is a major cause of premature death across the world. According to the World Health Organization an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged between 30 and 79 have hypertension. Unfortunately, almost half of these people (46%) are unaware of their condition.
According to Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) claims data, over the past five years (2019 to 2023), there has been a 22% increase in the prevalence of hypertension in the member base. Hypertension is in fact the top chronic condition noted, with equal incidence and prevalence across males and females.
“More than one third of DHMS members over the age of 60 have hypertension. But what’s very concerning is that DHMS claims data also show an increase in hypertension incidence among young members of late. For example, in members aged 25 to 39 we’re seeing an increase in new diagnoses at a rate of 5% per annum, which means a 23% increase from 2019 to 2023,” says Dr Nematswerani. “In 2023, in the 25- to 29-year-old age bracket alone, more than 800 members were newly diagnosed with hypertension which led them to register for the Scheme’s chronic illness benefits.”
Discovery Life’s 2023 claims data (released in April 2024) adds to the picture painted by DHMS data by bringing in the financial impact of heart-related illnesses. Dr Maritha van der Walt, Discovery Life’s Chief Medical Officer adds: “The top life cover claims for most age groups were for cancer and heart and artery related illnesses. Heart and artery conditions were the main cause of death among males (30%) and the second highest cause among females (21%) after cancer. This proves the importance of screening for the risk factors for heart and artery disease, such as hypertension, through checks such as regular blood pressure checks.”
Why is hypertension called a ‘silent’ condition?
“Most people with hypertension don't have any symptoms that something is wrong. Some people have headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations and nose bleeds which they may not always link to chronic high blood pressure. This is why regular blood pressure checks are so important,” says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Chief Clinical officer at Discovery Health.
A simple squeeze of the upper arm gives you life-saving information
Checking your blood pressure is quick, easy and inexpensive. This sort of check is usually done by a nurse (at your pharmacy or local clinic) or by your GP. One can also do a self-check at home using a clinically recommended monitor available at most pharmacies.
A blood pressure gauge - a cuff that's placed around the upper arm - gets tighter as it's inflated and released to give you your blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). The measurement is recorded as two numbers, one "over" another - for example 140/90 mm Hg or ‘140 over 90’. The top number refers to systolic pressure, which is the pressure in your arteries, when your heart contracts and pumps blood out to the organs in the body. The bottom number refers to diastolic pressure, which is the arterial pressure when your heart is resting, between heart beats.
"A normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mm Hg," explains Dr Nematswerani.
"Hypertension is usually diagnosed when blood pressure is measured on two different days and either number (or both numbers) are equal to or above 140/90 mm Hg. You will need emergency medical care if your blood pressure measurement is 180/120 mm Hg or higher."
Complications caused by uncontrolled hypertension
“The higher the blood pressure and the longer high blood pressure goes uncontrolled, the more damage it can cause to blood vessels and organs,” warns Dr Nematswerani.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications such as:
What puts you at risk of hypertension?
According to internationally accredited information channels (Mayo Clinic, World Health Organisation; Centers for Disease Control and prevention; American Heart Association), the biggest risk factors for hypertension are:
“If hypertension is picked up early enough, it is relatively easy to manage. That is why we encourage everyone to go for routine health screenings including blood pressure measurements, at least once a year in order to diagnose hypertension before any serious complications make the conditions more visible. These checks are quick, easy and could save your life!”