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Affinity Health on How You Can Measure & Control Your Blood Pressure Accurately

Affinity Health, leading medical insurance providers in SA, encourages all South Africans to learn more about hypertension and why it’s so important to monitor one’s blood pressure.

Did you know that Hypertension is one of the most critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

May 17th is World Hypertension Day – a day set aside to teach us all how to hypertension. The World Hypertension League’s Fact Sheet shows that less than 50% of adults are aware that they have high blood pressure.

 

Affinity Health CEO, Murray Hewlett, explains why blood pressure can increase and how to keep it within a normal range.

 

“If left unchecked and untreated, hypertension can cause stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and aneurysm. That’s why it’s crucial to keep blood pressure under control,” says Hewlett.

 

“While the exact cause of hypertension is often unknown, it is the result of an underlying condition in most cases. Many people who suffer from hypertension are not aware that they have it as there can be no symptoms. Often people only find out after suffering a heart attack or stroke.”

 

It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly.

 

Read More: What is Hypertension and How Do I Know I Have It?

 

What are some of the conditions that can lead to Hypertension? 

  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Pheochromocytoma, a rare cancer of an adrenal gland
  • Cushing syndrome
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • An overactive thyroid gland
  • Pregnancy
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Obesity

 

Some of the other factors that could increase your risk of high blood pressure are:

  • Age (hypertension is more common in those over age 60)
  • Ethnicity (some ethnic groups are more prone to hypertension than others)
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Gender (men have a higher risk of developing hypertension than women)

 

Measuring your Blood Pressure is Easy & Pain-free.

Your healthcare provider will use a device known as a sphygmomanometer that wraps over the major artery in your upper arm to listen to blood flow.

 

You can get your blood pressure measured by a health care provider, at a pharmacy, or you can purchase a blood pressure monitor for your home.

 

When and how often you take your readings will depend on your blood pressure. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor may prescribe medications such as Beta-blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors and recommend specific lifestyle changes.

 

Affinity Health recognises that there are complex challenges to the prevention and control of hypertension in South Africa. As such, Affinity Health offers members a range of health care options, including Day-to-Day and Hospital plans, to ensure members can undergo annual health screening tests and regularly measure their blood pressure, as well as access to Chronic Medication covered under the Chronic Essential Benefit.

 

Click Here to view Affinity Health’s Chronic Disease Medications, Casualty, Diagnostic, Hospitalisation, Primary Healthcare Screening Benefit Guide.

 

The Primary Healthcare Screening Benefit offers access to healthcare services such as preventative tests, which are performed for early detection and prevention of potential health risks or diseases. Affinity Health offers screenings and prevention services, available with primary healthcare professionals at a Medical Society Centre closest to you.

 


About Affinity Health

Affinity Health aims to provide premier quality, affordable medical insurance to South Africans. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service when they are faced with injury or illness. We work to deliver innovative solutions that are simple, cost-effective, and proven, so our cover is structured to ensure that you get exactly what you need. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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