High Blood Pressure in Nigeria: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Millions of Nigerians suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension, which is a health condition that requires medical treatment. Although it rarely shows any symptoms in some people, if left unchecked and untreated, it can cause serious health issues.

KEY POINTS:

Unlike other health issues, most cases of high blood pressure in Nigeria do not show signs and symptoms.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calls High BP the “Silent Killer” as it has claimed the lives of so many unannounced.
Over 60 million Nigerians were diagnosed with High blood pressure in the last 5 years.
Causes of High BP include family history, age, diabetes, gender, obesity, etc.
You can effectively treat High BP by following your doctor’s prescriptions and making some lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure, also known as Hypertension, is not new to Nigerians. Many know about it but are misinformed because unlike other health issues, most cases of high blood pressure do not show signs and symptoms.

The Silent killer as it is called by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has claimed the lives of so many unannounced. It is normal for the body’s blood pressure to rise and fall during the day as it should because we engage in activities that require movement.

The problem starts when it rises and refuses to come down. The good news is that high blood pressure can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes but you need to always check or monitor it to be on the safe side.

The number of Nigerians diagnosed with high blood pressure has increased over the years. A Meta Analysis review by the World Health Organization( WHO) carried out in 2018 in Nigeria stated that 31.2% of adults in Nigeria are hypertensive. With women leading with 31.1% and men 29.5%.

If broken down to a layman’s understanding, It means that over 60 million Nigerians were diagnosed with high blood pressure in the last five years. In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about high blood pressure, its causes, symptoms and effective ways to manage it. So read to the end.

Understanding High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure in Nigeria — High Blood Pressure in Nigeria: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments 6

An average Nigerian when asked this question will simply answer that high blood pressure is when older adults experience chest pain (Angina) or heart attack. While this is not the correct answer, it is related to high blood pressure. Chest pain, Aneurysm, Dementia, Heart attack, Stroke, Kidney failure etc. are health problems you can develop from having constant high blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg and above.

To go further, a definition of blood pressure will help us understand what it is all about when it is high.

Our arteries carry blood away from the heart. They are also made up of muscles and as the heart pumps blood into the arteries, it comes with a force that hits on the wall as the blood is flowing. So, blood pressure is simply the pressure blood puts on the walls of the artery as it is flowing. This pressure on the walls of the artery can weaken or burst if the pressure is too high.

High blood pressure is simply blood pressure that is very high. Sometimes it is so high that the body goes into crisis.

To read the blood pressure, two numbers are needed – The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The Systolic blood pressure records the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. It is written as the first number or numerator. Diastolic blood pressure records the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. It is written as the second number or denominator. Both are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Blood Pressure of less than 90/60 is called Low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than or equal to 120/80 mmHg for adults. High blood pressure is diagnosed if, on two different occasions, your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg and above is considered Hypertensive crisis and requires urgent medical attention to save the patient.

Causes of High Blood Pressure in Nigeria

High blood pressure among Nigerians is something that develops over time as a result of so many factors. Some of them include:

Family History: High blood pressure can be inherited and passed from parents to children. If there’s a history of someone with high blood pressure in your family, there is a high chance that you may have it too.

Age: Old age especially increases the risk of developing blood pressure by 90% This is because the arteries get rigid/stiff with age. According to the National institute on Health (NIH), high blood pressure is common in older adults.

Gender: Both genders are affected. Before 55 years, Men stand a high chance of developing high blood pressure. Women who have entered menopause also have high chances of developing high blood pressure.

Ethnic background: The World Health Organization recorded that Africa has the highest prevalence of high blood pressure (27%) while America has the lowest (18%).

Overweight/Obesity: If you’re overweight or obese, then your chances of developing high blood pressure are very high. A condition known as Atherosclerosis which is a build of fatty materials or plaque on the walls of the arteries may result.

Diabetes: A diabetic patient has a doubled likelihood of developing high blood pressure compared to a person without diabetes.

Lack of exercise: If you don’t engage in physical exercise activities then your chances of developing high blood pressure is high.

Smoking and Alcohol: Those who smoke or take alcoholic drinks are at risk of developing high blood pressure.

High salt intake: Excess salt intake causes high blood pressure

Stress: When you’re stressed, the body releases certain hormones that make the heart beat faster and narrow the blood vessels thereby causing high blood pressure.

Pregnancy: Some women develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. This puts both mother and child at risk. Every pregnant woman is advised to register for antenatal early so their blood pressure can be checked regularly.

Symptoms of high blood pressure in Nigeria

Blood Pressure of 130/85mmHg and higher which is slightly elevated may not show symptoms. But if it is from 180/120mmHg and higher, your body will show symptoms. This is termed a Hypertensive crisis and requires urgent medical attention.

Some of the symptoms include:

Headaches: Severe headaches that last for days and don’t get better with analgesics like paracetamol is a pointer to having High blood pressure.
Abnormal heart beats
Difficulties in breathing
Blurry vision
Chest pains
Nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Anxiety
Epistaxis ( nose bleeding)

These and many more are the symptoms of high blood pressure that should not be overlooked. Once you notice two or more of these signs, see your doctor to check your blood pressure and put you on the required medications to help.

Health Problems Associated with High Blood Pressure

Constant High blood pressure can damage or burst the arteries thereby putting one at risk of developing Heart problems, Kidney failure, Stroke, loss of vision and even death.

Some complications that can result from uncontrolled high blood pressure include:

Heart Problems which include:

Chest pains/ Angina

Heart attack: This happens when the blood supply to the heart is cut off and myocardial cells die from lack of oxygen. The damage will be severe if the blood supply remains cut off for long.

Heart failure: This results when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen to organs like the brain, kidney, lungs etc.

Death: Irregular heartbeats caused by a hypertensive crisis can result in sudden death.

Stroke and other neurological problems: High blood pressure can burst the arteries supplying the brain with blood and oxygen leading to stroke. It can result in dementia too.

Loss of vision: High blood pressure can damage the arteries supplying the eyes leading to blurred vision or blindness.

Kidney failure: Diabetic patients who are hypertensive have a higher chance of developing Kidney failure. High blood pressure weakens or damages the arteries supplying the kidneys.

Is There a Treatment for High Blood Pressure?

When treating or managing high blood pressure, several factors need to be considered. Some of these factors include the severity of the condition and risk factors of developing cardiovascular diseases, stroke or kidney failure among the patients. It is advisable to follow your doctor’s guide in managing your high blood pressure.

For patients with blood pressure readings of less than 140/90 mmHg, lifestyle changes like low salt diet, exercise, quitting smoking and alcohol etc. may be recommended by the doctor. For those with 180/120 mmHg and higher, medications and lifestyle changes will be recommended.

Two methods are used in treating or managing high blood pressure effectively.

Medications:

Doctors use these medications to lower the blood pressure in patients

Vasodilators and Beta blockers.
ACE inhibitors such as enalapril and lisinopril help to relax blood vessels and prevent kidney damage.
Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as Losartan and telmisartan
Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine and felodipine.
Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone eliminate extra water from the body and lower blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes:

This plays a great role in lowering blood pressure naturally. Some lifestyle changes include:

Consuming less salt

Engaging in exercise activities at least 30 minutes every day.

Quitting smoking and alcohol

Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals

Avoid bad fats that increase cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the body.

Consuming more fruits and vegetables: Food rich in Lean proteins, whole grains, vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are very good for lowering blood pressure.

Some fruits like oranges, watermelon, cucumber, bananas, Avocado, beetroot, etc. are rich in vitamins, magnesium and potassium. Milk and dairy products supply the body with calcium. Leafy Vegetables like pumpkin, okra, and bitter leaf are readily available Nigerian vegetables and can be found in the markets. They help in lowering the blood pressure.

Managing stress properly

Conclusion

High blood pressure can have many causes which may not be limited to these: old age, family history, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, stress, smoking and alcohol. These are some of the risk factors known to cause or contribute to high blood pressure generally.

For severe cases of high blood pressure (180/120mmHg), urgent medical attention and medication may be required, but for the majority of people with slightly elevated high blood pressure, lifestyle changes and a healthy diet may be all that is required to lower the blood pressure.