Dr. Adeline Asante-Kwabiah, a pediatrician at the 37 Military Hospital, has revealed that children can also experience hypertension, a condition commonly associated with adults. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on World Hypertension Day, she noted that most cases of hypertension in children often stem from underlying medical conditions. The theme for World Hypertension Day 2025 was: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!
She said that in such cases, treatment of the underlying condition, such as kidney disease, improved hypertension. Dr Asante-Kwabiah, therefore, urged parents to ensure that their children followed the recommended diet from the healthcare team, took their medications, and went for reviews as scheduled.
She said hypertension was a major public health concern, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had estimated that 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 years worldwide had the condition, with two-thirds of them living in low and middle-income countries, including Ghana.
Unfortunately, around 46 percent of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have this condition. In Ghana, studies indicate that about one in four adults has high blood pressure. When high blood pressure goes undetected and untreated for an extended period, it can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even erectile dysfunction. It is important to note that blood pressure can be elevated without presenting any symptoms or obvious signs.
Dr Asante-Kwabiah stressed that the only way to know what one’s blood pressure was high, was to have it checked, saying “Knowing your blood pressure empowers you to control it and live longer”. She encouraged the public to adopt some lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy and balanced diet with low levels of salt, maintaining an appropriate weight for one’s height and cutting down on alcohol intake to help control high blood pressure.
She mentioned that some of the risk factors for developing high blood pressure included advancing age, obesity, intake of high-salt-containing foods, exposure to persistent stress, excess alcohol intake, and use of tobacco, among others. She reiterated that it was essential for everyone to know their status by checking it regularly, advising that for people already living with hypertension, modifying their lifestyle to minimise risks and avoid complications.
credit: GNA