Bayelsa sounds warning on surge in high blood pressure incidents

The Bayelsa State Ministry of Health has expressed concern about the increasing burden of hypertension in the state, citing the fact that many residents fail to regularly monitor their blood pressure, often leading to late diagnosis after complications have arisen.

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Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe revealed this information on Thursday during a meeting with journalists in Yenagoa, where he presented the ministry's scorecard under the theme "Mid-Year Review".

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Data from a previous hypertension and diabetes screening exercise showed that approximately 10 to 15 per cent of those screened had hypertension, with higher rates found among older residents and males, according to Brisibe.

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He noted that these figures should serve as a warning to both residents and health authorities, particularly given that hypertension can remain undetected for an extended period.

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Brisibe stated, "What we discovered is that the prevalence is about 10 to 15 per cent, most especially for those above 45, 50, and is a little bit higher among males."

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The commissioner observed that many Bayelsans do not have the habit of checking their blood pressure or blood sugar levels, which poses a significant challenge in addressing hypertension and diabetes.

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He identified late detection and denial among some patients as major obstacles in tackling these conditions, saying "A lot of Bayelsans do not have the habit of checking their blood pressure or their sugar level at all".

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The ministry is integrating hypertension screening into routine healthcare services, and residents can visit designated emergency ambulances in Yenagoa to have their blood pressure checked free of charge, according to Brisibe.

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The service will also be extended to riverine communities through the state's boat ambulance system, he added.

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Brisibe urged residents, particularly those above 40, to regularly check their blood pressure and blood glucose levels, saying "Please, regularly check your blood pressure, regularly check your glucose level, most especially for those above 40".

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He advised residents diagnosed with non-communicable diseases to adhere to prescribed medications, follow medical advice, eat healthy meals, and exercise regularly.

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The state government will collaborate with the Ministry of Information to intensify public awareness through radio jingles and billboards, according to Brisibe.

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The 10–15 per cent figure is attributed to the ministry's screening/outreach exercise and should not automatically be presented as a population-wide prevalence estimate for Bayelsa.