Commemoration of World Hypertension Day: Citizens advised to adopt healthy lifestyles
Citizens have been advised to adopt healthy lifestyles by checking their blood pressure regularly, seek early treatment and adhere to medications faithfully.
One in five adults has high level of blood pressure in the country, with about half of them not being aware that they have hypertension.
The prevalence is higher in urban populations where there is increasing risk with age, according to a 2023 Ghana STEPS survey.
Hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide. An estimated 1.4 billion people live with hypertension globally.
Hypertension contributes significantly to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, kidney disease and premature mortality, placing a heavy burden on households and the health system.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, was speaking during a media engagement to commemorate this year’s World Hypertension Day in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, on Monday.
The day is observed on May 17, every year, and forms part of Hypertension Awareness Month. It aims at raising global awareness of high blood pressure, promote prevention, detection and control, while encouraging action at individual, community and health-system levels.
Community outreach
Dr Adomako-Boateng underscored the need for community-based approach in tackling hypertension in the country, where health care providers would reach out to the people, screen and educate them about the disease.
“Community-based hypertension care is essential because many people do not routinely visit health facilities until complications arise”, he added.
Regional statistics
Giving a breakdown of hypertension cases recorded in the region over a five-year period, Dr Adomako-Boateng said a total of 121,829 cases were recorded in 2021, which increased to 126,110 in 2022.
In 2023, the cases increased to 136,380 and further went up to 140,216 cases in 2024, but reduced slightly to 138,710 cases in 2025.
“Let us remember that hypertension is not merely a medical issue; it also affects development, the economy and the family,” the director said.
Statement
In a related development, PATH, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to achieving health equity, has said that the high global prevalence of hypertension and associated premature mortality underscored the urgent need for countries to implement measures for its prevention and control.
In a statement issued in commemoration of the day, it said Healthy Heart Africa (HHA), an AstraZeneca health equity initiative, implemented in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and PATH, complemented national efforts at reducing the burden of hypertension in the country by promoting awareness, expanding screening and early detection in primary health care.
It said that since 2019, the HHA programme in Ghana had conducted over 3.4 million blood pressure screening, with more than 740,000 individuals identified with elevated blood pressure, while over 152,000 individuals were diagnosed with hypertension.
“The day serves as a reminder for everyone to check their blood pressure regularly and manage it effectively by adhering to treatment, so they can live healthy and productive lives,” the statement said.
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