High blood pressure or hypertension is known as a ‘silent killer’ amongst health care professionals as this medical condition rarely presents with symptoms warning you that your pressure is high. In some instances, a patient may complain of headaches, visual disturbances, nosebleeds, sleepiness, and even seizures.
According to the heart and stroke foundation in South Africa, 1 in 4 South Africans between the ages of 15 and 64 years suffer from high blood pressure. It is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and premature death. Hence it is imperative that you do assess your blood pressure at least once a year or more than once a year if you have a family history of hypertension