Lifestyle changes key to reducing early death risk in hypertension – Cardiologist

Lifestyle modifications such as effective stress management, reduced alcohol intake, cutting down on salt and processed foods can significantly lower the risk of early death among persons living with hypertension. 

Dr. Felix Awindaogo, a Cardiologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, said hypertension was a lifelong condition, but non-pharmacological intervention combined with the right medication regimen could prevent complication that often led to premature deaths. 

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr Awindaogo explained that uncontrolled hypertension increased the risk of early mortality by about 13 per cent. 

He noted that a10mmHg reduction in blood pressure could substantially decrease the incidence of stroke, heart attacks and cardiac arrest associated with hypertension. 

Dr. Awindaogo expressed concern that many patients defaulted on treatment schedules and failed to attend scheduled reviews, a situation he said undermined effective management. 

“Most patients do not attend reviews on time for accurate checks and recommendations which affect their treatment plans,” he said. 

Dr Awindaogo urged patients experiencing side effects such as impotency and other associated complications to seek medical advice instead of abandoning treatment, stressing that such reactions could be safely managed 

He noted that while, some patients reported late with complication already developed, timely intervention could still halt progression. 

He added that such reactions to these drugs were based on physiology, medical conditions or other medication interference. 

“Medications for hypertension are lifelong, do not stop taking your medication, consistently modify your lifestyle and you can live with the condition for over 50 years,” he advised. 

The cardiologist also called for regular screening from age 35, saying early detection was key to preventing complications. 

He advised the public to purchase blood pressure monitoring devices from approved pharmacies and to monitor their readings at home to support clinical management. 

Source: GNA