Dr. Adeline Asante-Kwabiah, a paediatrician at the 37 Military Hospital, has highlighted that hypertension is not only an adult condition but can also affect children.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on World Hypertension Day, Dr. Asante-Kwabiah explained that in most cases among children, high blood pressure is linked to an underlying medical issue such as kidney disease. Treating these conditions often helps control hypertension in young patients.
The 2025 World Hypertension Day carried the theme: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!”
She urged parents to strictly follow healthcare recommendations on diet, medication, and regular medical check-ups for children diagnosed with hypertension.
Hypertension remains a major global health concern. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide have high blood pressure, with two-thirds living in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana.
Dr. Asante-Kwabiah noted that nearly half of adults with hypertension are unaware they have the condition. In Ghana, research indicates that roughly one in four adults suffers from high blood pressure.
She warned that untreated hypertension could lead to serious complications including stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and erectile dysfunction. Importantly, hypertension often shows no symptoms, making regular checks essential.
“The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it measured,” she said. “Knowing your blood pressure empowers you to control it and live longer.”
To help manage and prevent hypertension, she encouraged people to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating balanced meals low in salt, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and reducing stress.
Risk factors for hypertension include age, obesity, high salt intake, persistent stress, excessive alcohol use, and tobacco smoking.
Dr. Asante-Kwabiah emphasized the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring for everyone and called on those living with hypertension to make lifestyle changes to reduce complications.
