Women in TCI facing High Blood Pressure at higher rate, says Health Minister on World Hypertension Day

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2022 – Mostly women make up the Hypertension cases in the Turks and Caicos Islands, nearly 60 percent of those diagnosed in 2020 were females and that fact has caught the attention of the TCI Ministry of Health, as the globe marks World Hypertension Day.

Often called the ‘silent killer’ Hypertension is a medical condition with very few outward symptoms and deadly consequences if left untreated.

“Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure.”  The World Health Organization says.

TCI Health Minister Jamell Robinson said in 2020 the Turks and Caicos Islands recorded 1,523 cases of hypertension with women disproportionately affected, making up over 900 of the cases.

The higher your blood pressure becomes the harder your heart has to work, this often leads to the blocking or bursting of blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Often arteries get hard, decreasing the flow of blood to the heart causing heart attacks and heart failure.  It can also cause your heart to ‘skip a beat’ literally, due to an irregular heart beat which may lead to sudden death.

1.6 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension but many more may be affected and be none the wiser. Symptoms of hypertension to look out for include “early morning headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart rhythms, vision changes, and buzzing in the ears. More severe forms may exhibit fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors.” The WHO says.

The theme for this year’s World Hypertension day is ‘Measure your blood pressure; Control it, live longer.’

“It is crucial that you measure your blood pressure regularly and accurately to determine if you are hypertensive and seek the required treatment to control it.” said Jameka Williams, Member of the House of Assembly.

“Many people die from high blood pressure when the disease is controllable and treatable; I would like to see our population thrive and live healthy lives,” Minister Robinson added.

Tips to prevent hypertension include: lowering intake of salt, alcohol and unhealthy foods and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables and exercise.