South Africa’s hypertension crisis continues to worsen, experts warn

Health experts say South Africa’s hypertension crisis continues to worsen, despite increased awareness efforts.

May marks World Hypertension Month and Measurement Month, a campaign that encourages individuals to have their blood pressure checked at free screening sites.

Hypertension is a condition that affects billions worldwide yet remains dangerously under diagnosed and under treated.

Southern African Hypertension Society President, Professor Erika Jones says an alarming new trend is the increasing diagnoses among teens and young adults.

“Hypertension is a very common condition in SA, affecting 40% of adults and this is a rising burden of disease. One of the problems with hypertension is that you don’t know about it unless you check your BP and people who don’t know about it can suffer severe consequences.”