By Regina Benneh Siaw
Sunyani (Bono), May 21, GNA-Dr Godfred Owusu Ansah, a Sunyani-based medical practitioner, says high blood pressure remains a leading contributor to the upsurge in chronic illnesses in the country.
He said hypertension was contributing to the rise in heart failures, kidney and related diseases as well as liver conditions and strokes.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani to mark the 2026 celebration of the World Hypertension Day, Dr Owusu Ansah said cases of hypertension which were rare years ago, but now widespread.
Touching on the theme for the celebration: “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Protect Your Health”, he said: “A couple of years ago, the issue of blood pressure wasn’t consistently discussed because it wasn’t prevalent as it is today.
“But now it seems to be the genesis or an associated cause for most chronic diseases we have in our society”, he stated, explaining that normal blood pressure reading for a healthy adult ought to stand at 120/80 mmHg.
“Readings consistently above 140/90 mmHg are classified as hypertension which is a condition that often develops silently and goes undetected until it causes organ damage”, he stated, saying that the surge in hypertension is linked to eating habits and lifestyle,” the medical doctor said
He urged the public to desist from high consumption of calorie, fatty foods, and salt, urging the public to balance their diets with vegetables, fruits and grains.
“When those substances build up, they partially or fully block blood vessels and increase the pressure required for the heart to pump blood to other parts of the body”, Dr Owusu Ansah explained, urging the public to be conscious of their diets.
He also condemned alcoholism and substance abuse, saying that also remained a major contributor to rising blood pressure levels.
Dr Owusu Ansah said that lack of adequate rest, chronic stress and physical inactivity led to obesity and sustained high pressure.
Liking the body system to a machine, he warned that: “overuse without maintenance leads to breakdown” and urged the public to have enough rest and manage their pressures by doing regular medical checkups.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Regina Benneh
[email protected]