Some Eminent Nigerians with Dr. Mike Adenuga, Nigeria’s Richest Man in the Middle |
We
have already noted that hypertension or high blood pressure is the primary road
to stroke and the surest way to avoid stroke is to prevent hypertension in the
first place. However, it may be
unrealistic to talk of preventing hypertension in everyone since some factors
like age and familial tendency, which no one has control over, sometimes play
an important role in the occurrence of hypertension. As already explained, people who are not predisposed
to hypertension often develop the condition by indulging in certain lifestyle
or neglecting certain simple actions that they ought to undertake. Such practices or negligence hasten and
worsen the development of hypertension in those who are naturally predisposed
to the condition. Avoiding the offending
lifestyle and taking relevant actions can prevent, delay or minimize the
occurrence of hypertension even in those who are predisposed to the condition.
have already noted that hypertension or high blood pressure is the primary road
to stroke and the surest way to avoid stroke is to prevent hypertension in the
first place. However, it may be
unrealistic to talk of preventing hypertension in everyone since some factors
like age and familial tendency, which no one has control over, sometimes play
an important role in the occurrence of hypertension. As already explained, people who are not predisposed
to hypertension often develop the condition by indulging in certain lifestyle
or neglecting certain simple actions that they ought to undertake. Such practices or negligence hasten and
worsen the development of hypertension in those who are naturally predisposed
to the condition. Avoiding the offending
lifestyle and taking relevant actions can prevent, delay or minimize the
occurrence of hypertension even in those who are predisposed to the condition.
The
most important personal actions to take and lifestyle practices to avoid
include the following six:
most important personal actions to take and lifestyle practices to avoid
include the following six:
1. Avoid overweight by eating only moderate
amount of food. At least 33% cent of
your meals should consist of vegetables so that they provide blood while
limiting the amount of calories consumed.
amount of food. At least 33% cent of
your meals should consist of vegetables so that they provide blood while
limiting the amount of calories consumed.
2. Avoid eating excessive amount of animal
protein foods or animal fat. Not only do
they easily build up your weight, they cause rapid deposition of fat in
arteries which leads to increased blood pressure.
protein foods or animal fat. Not only do
they easily build up your weight, they cause rapid deposition of fat in
arteries which leads to increased blood pressure.
Billionaire Nigerian Entrepreneur Jimoh Ibrahim (M) is on the Big Side |
3. Reduce weight if you are overweight. Excess weight is usually associated with high
blood pressure. If your abdomen is
bulging or you are full all over, even if moderately so, you are probably
overweight. If you are not sure whether
you are overweight or not, see a doctor who will be able to tell you and by how
much kilograms or pounds you are overweight.
blood pressure. If your abdomen is
bulging or you are full all over, even if moderately so, you are probably
overweight. If you are not sure whether
you are overweight or not, see a doctor who will be able to tell you and by how
much kilograms or pounds you are overweight.
4. Engage in vigorous routine exercise
(Example of common exercises is presented under the section: “Tips on
exercise”). Exercise strengthens heart muscles
to be able to function more effectively, enhances loss of excess salt and water
from the body and improves elasticity of arteries to reduce high blood pressure
or chances of developing high blood pressure.
(Example of common exercises is presented under the section: “Tips on
exercise”). Exercise strengthens heart muscles
to be able to function more effectively, enhances loss of excess salt and water
from the body and improves elasticity of arteries to reduce high blood pressure
or chances of developing high blood pressure.
Billionaire African Business Mogul, Otunba Mike Adenuga Jnr. is on the Big Side |
5. Do not smoke or use tobacco in any form. If you have already acquired that habit, stop
it. If you cannot immediately stop
entirely, reduce your daily use considerably.
Remember that the number and severity of health problems associated with
tobacco use are proportionate to the amount used.
it. If you cannot immediately stop
entirely, reduce your daily use considerably.
Remember that the number and severity of health problems associated with
tobacco use are proportionate to the amount used.
Smoking is dangerous to health |
6. Avoid excessive consumption of salt. Salt retains water in the body, thereby
increasing the volume of blood and blood pressure.
increasing the volume of blood and blood pressure.
The 11 Strategies of
Killing High Blood Pressure vis-à-vis Stroke
Killing High Blood Pressure vis-à-vis Stroke
Always take your drugs to kill the effect of High Blood Pressure |
As
earlier explained, stroke usually occurs as a result of excessively high blood
pressure. You are therefore at very high
risk of suffering a stroke if you allow your blood pressure to go very high
either because you do not know that you are hypertensive or you neglect routine
management of your high blood pressure.
To avoid stroke and consequent death or disability, you have to take the
following actions to avoid excessively high blood pressure in the first place:
earlier explained, stroke usually occurs as a result of excessively high blood
pressure. You are therefore at very high
risk of suffering a stroke if you allow your blood pressure to go very high
either because you do not know that you are hypertensive or you neglect routine
management of your high blood pressure.
To avoid stroke and consequent death or disability, you have to take the
following actions to avoid excessively high blood pressure in the first place:
1. If you have never had your blood pressure
taken, or you have not done so for over one year or you cannot remember what
your last blood pressure reading was, you must immediately go for your blood
pressure right away. You could be going
about with dangerously high blood pressure without knowing. Remember that many people with high blood
pressure or very high blood pressure never know before they suffer stroke since
there may be no tell-tale symptoms.
taken, or you have not done so for over one year or you cannot remember what
your last blood pressure reading was, you must immediately go for your blood
pressure right away. You could be going
about with dangerously high blood pressure without knowing. Remember that many people with high blood
pressure or very high blood pressure never know before they suffer stroke since
there may be no tell-tale symptoms.
Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, a former Governor of Nigeria’s Bayelsa State died of Heart Attack as a result of High Blood Pressure |
2. If you are hypertensive, you must ensure
that you comply with the prescribed medication regimen, diet, and routine
medical check-up, even if your hypertension is under control; that is, even if
your blood pressure remains normal with proper management. Remember that hypertension cannot be cured
and you must take the appropriate medicines to control the disease throughout
your life. With proper management of
hypertension, anyone can live as long as nature will allow without death or
disability from the disease. You should be able to know what your blood
pressure is, at least once a month.
that you comply with the prescribed medication regimen, diet, and routine
medical check-up, even if your hypertension is under control; that is, even if
your blood pressure remains normal with proper management. Remember that hypertension cannot be cured
and you must take the appropriate medicines to control the disease throughout
your life. With proper management of
hypertension, anyone can live as long as nature will allow without death or
disability from the disease. You should be able to know what your blood
pressure is, at least once a month.
3. Routine physical exercise is a must for
anyone, particularly if you are hypertensive. Before starting any exercise
regimen, remember to see a medical doctor first so as to check you out,
especially the state of your heart in case it has already been involved. The doctor will advise you on the intensity
and length of exercise that will be suitable for you.
anyone, particularly if you are hypertensive. Before starting any exercise
regimen, remember to see a medical doctor first so as to check you out,
especially the state of your heart in case it has already been involved. The doctor will advise you on the intensity
and length of exercise that will be suitable for you.
4. You have to adopt healthy eating habit,
which means eating moderate amount of food with plenty of vegetables and only a
modest amount of animal protein foods and fat.
which means eating moderate amount of food with plenty of vegetables and only a
modest amount of animal protein foods and fat.
Mr. Onigbanjo another Lagos business man died of hear attack sometimes ago |
5. Cut down on the amount of salt you consume
since salt increases retention of fluids in the body, the blood volume and
blood pressure.
since salt increases retention of fluids in the body, the blood volume and
blood pressure.
6. If overweight, you must lose weight by a
combination of eating less and routine vigorous exercising.
combination of eating less and routine vigorous exercising.
When your trouser is angry with your waist |
7. If you smoke, you must stop smoking or the
use of tobacco in whatever form. It is a
question of life and death and you cannot afford the luxury of not being able
to stop; unless you would rather choose tobacco over your life.
use of tobacco in whatever form. It is a
question of life and death and you cannot afford the luxury of not being able
to stop; unless you would rather choose tobacco over your life.
Smoking is bad |
8. If you are diabetic, it is very important
to ensure that the condition is appropriately managed and controlled as
well. With uncontrolled diabetes,
complications of hypertension are more frequent and more severe.
to ensure that the condition is appropriately managed and controlled as
well. With uncontrolled diabetes,
complications of hypertension are more frequent and more severe.
9. Do everything you can to minimize
stress. Continuous psychological stress
as a way of life or an episode of intense stressful experience shoots blood
pressure up and often precedes stroke or other complications of hypertension.
stress. Continuous psychological stress
as a way of life or an episode of intense stressful experience shoots blood
pressure up and often precedes stroke or other complications of hypertension.
General Sani Abacha a fomer Nigerian Head of State, died of Heart Attack as a result of High blood Pressure |
10. Provide for adequate rest and recreation as
an essential part of life and health.
Prolong physical strain and/or inadequate sleep worsens the condition of
high blood pressure and commonly precedes occurrence of stroke. The common
saying that “all work and no play make jack a dull boy” is equally true for
health generally and for prevention and management of high blood pressure. Physical as well as emotional stress drains
the body of strength and vitality. It
also puts extra pressure on the heart and the circulatory system, which easily
predisposes stroke in hypertensive individuals.
Sleep and relaxation provide opportunity for the body to recuperate and
replenish itself. It is therefore
particularly important for those who are hypertensive to have adequate rest and
relaxation as one of the ways to avoid stroke.
an essential part of life and health.
Prolong physical strain and/or inadequate sleep worsens the condition of
high blood pressure and commonly precedes occurrence of stroke. The common
saying that “all work and no play make jack a dull boy” is equally true for
health generally and for prevention and management of high blood pressure. Physical as well as emotional stress drains
the body of strength and vitality. It
also puts extra pressure on the heart and the circulatory system, which easily
predisposes stroke in hypertensive individuals.
Sleep and relaxation provide opportunity for the body to recuperate and
replenish itself. It is therefore
particularly important for those who are hypertensive to have adequate rest and
relaxation as one of the ways to avoid stroke.
Mr. Hakeem Shodeinde a Lagos Entrepreneur died of kidney related disease as a result of bad drinking habit |
11. Make sure you are familiar with symptoms of
very high blood pressure so that you can seek immediate help before you become
a helpless victim of stroke or other complications of hypertension.
very high blood pressure so that you can seek immediate help before you become
a helpless victim of stroke or other complications of hypertension.
A Group of Heart Specialist Doctors at Tristate Heart Facility, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State |
From the Book; “Early and Sudden
Death; the Price of Affluence among Nigerians”. Read “The 4-WayText
to Kill Obesity & Heart Attack” in our next post on this blog)
Death; the Price of Affluence among Nigerians”. Read “The 4-WayText
to Kill Obesity & Heart Attack” in our next post on this blog)