A GNA feature by Regina Benneh
Sunyani (Bono), June 17, GNA – Decades ago, high blood pressure was rarely mentioned outside hospital wards. Today, however, hypertension has become a major driver of chronic diseases in Ghana.Â
From heart failure and stroke to kidney and liver damage, the condition has moved from the margins to the centre of the country’s growing health challenges.
Health professionals now describe it as a “silent killer” because it damages the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels without obvious early symptoms.
Experts maintain that hypertension is preventable and controllable through lifestyle and dietary changes. A normal blood pressure reading is around 120/80 mmHg, while consistent readings above 140/90 mmHg indicate hypertension.
According to Dr Godfred Owusu Ansah, many Ghanaians only check their blood pressure when complications arise.
“Years back, blood pressure wasn’t consistently discussed because it was not as prevalent as it is today,” he said.
He added that hypertension is often the underlying cause of many chronic diseases in society.
The shift reflects changes in modern lifestyles, including urbanisation, sedentary work, processed foods and rising stress levels, all of which have contributed to increasing cases that health facilities are struggling to manage.
Contributing factors
Dr Owusu Ansah noted that diet, substance abuse, and lifestyle choices are major contributors to hypertension.
Traditional Ghanaian diets rich in grains, vegetables and lean protein are increasingly being replaced with high-calorie, salty, fatty and fried foods, as well as sugary drinks. The excessive use of bouillon cubes has also become common.
“When we consistently consume high-calorie, salty and fatty diets, we expose ourselves to high blood pressure,” he said.
He advised increased consumption of vegetables and grains to help reduce fat and cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels.
“These buildups, known as plaque, narrow arteries and force the heart to pump harder,” he explained. “Over time, the extra strain weakens the heart and damages the kidneys, liver and brain.”
Alcohol consumption and substance abuse further worsen the condition by raising blood pressure and reducing the effectiveness of medication, while tobacco use causes immediate spikes in blood pressure and damages blood vessel walls.
Lifestyle factors such as stress, poor sleep, and physical inactivity also contribute significantly.
“Not having enough rest puts pressure on us, and not exercising leads to obesity, which increases the risk of high blood pressure,” Dr Owusu Ansah said, likening the body to a machine that breaks down without maintenance.
Madam Cecilia Adomah Yeboah, a Non-Communicable Disease Health Officer at the Sunyani Municipal Health Directorate, recommended at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity during the week and 7–8 hours of sleep daily.
She noted that simple activities such as walking, farming, sweeping or dancing could help improve heart health if they raise the heart rate.
Hypertension and symptoms
Medical experts define hypertension as a condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) classifies it as a reading consistently at or above 140/90 mmHg.
The condition often develops gradually and goes unnoticed because many people feel healthy in the early stages. As a result, it is frequently detected only after complications such as stroke, heart failure or kidney disease occur.
Common symptoms, when they appear, include persistent headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and nosebleeds.
“Waiting for symptoms before checking blood pressure is dangerous because damage may already have occurred,” Madam Yeboah said, stressing that regular checks are the surest way to know one’s status.
Prevention and control
The 2026 World Hypertension Day, themed “Measure your blood pressure: protect your life”, continues to promote lifestyle changes and regular screening.
Health experts encourage increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, grains and lean proteins, while limiting salt, fat and sugar intake.
Routine medical check-ups are strongly recommended, with the Ghana Health Service reinforcing the message: “Know your numbers, protect your life.”
Free screening at churches, markets and community gatherings has also been encouraged to improve early detection.
Ignorance and cost of late detection
Despite awareness campaigns, many people remain unaware they are hypertensive. According to Ghana’s Non-Communicable Disease report, nearly one in three adults may be living with the condition unknowingly.
Most cases are only diagnosed after severe complications such as stroke, heart failure or kidney failure, by which time damage is often irreversible.
Hypertension places a heavy emotional and financial burden on families, as stroke and heart disease remain leading causes of disability and death in Ghana.
Economic burden and call to action
Treatment costs are high and often unaffordable, making prevention more effective than cure.
“Once you know your status, you have power,” Madam Yeboah said. “If it’s high, you can start with lifestyle changes. If it’s very high, medication can be added.”
She emphasised that early detection helps prevent disability and death, urging the public to prioritise regular blood pressure checks.
“Hypertension is rising silently and claiming precious lives,” she said. “A healthy life begins not in the hospital, but with knowing your status today.”
She added: “On this World Hypertension Day, the message is clear: your heart is worth checking, your habits are worth changing, and your life is worth protecting.”
GNAÂ
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Audrey DekaluÂ
Reporter: Regina BennehÂ
[email protected]Â