In view of the precarious nature of hypertension, the Managing Director, May & Baker, Pharm. Patrick Ajah, has emphasised the essence of regular check-up, exercise and healthy diets , in the prevention of high blood pressure. He made the remarks during a staged walk by the pharmaceutical company to commemorate World Hypertension Day 2023.
World Hypertension Day is marked on May 17 of every year. The theme of this year is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It”.
The exercise tagged “Walk For Life”, had participants walked from May & Baker Ikeja corporate office in Sapara William Street, through Oba Akran to Adeniyi Jone, linking Allen Avenue Junction, and later to Ipodo and finally to Ikeja Local Government Secretariat.
While speaking on the programme, Ajah said May & Baker has always been marking every important world health-related day, but specifically marks World Hypertension Day with the walk because of the peculiar nature of the disease.
According to him, hypertension is a silent-killer disease that many people don’t know when they have it, adding that the only way to know blood pressure is through regular checks and that is the reason the company decided to carry out free tests this year to enable many people to know their blood pressure status.
The prominent pharmacist urged Nigerians to make walking part of their routine, saying walking is part of exercise that can enhance healthy living. Pharm. Ajah urged Nigerians to prioritise regular checks and specifically measure their blood pressure regularly.
He stated that measuring blood pressure regularly will help to identify hypertension early and also assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other health conditions associated with high blood pressure. The organisation also pointed out that monitoring blood pressure is a vital component of preventive healthcare that help to maintain optimal health.
While giving some tips to help prevent hypertension, he counseled Nigerians to eat healthy diets with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and as well avoid being overweight, saying obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure.
“Be physically active, it helps keep you at a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure. Do not smoke because smoking raises blood pressure and put you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Limit how much alcohol you drink because too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Get enough sleep because enough sleep is part of what keeps your heart and blood vessel healthy”, he advised.
The pharma company also used the occasion to offer free screening to people in the environment to know their blood pressure status and adviced where necessary on how to manage their blood pressure and stay healthy. The free test was conducted by a team of health workers, which comprise May & Baker in-house nurses, and representatives of the Ministry of Health among others.
While at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Mojeed Alabi Balogun briefly hosted the company in a brief session where he expressed his commitment to support the organisation on matters relating to public health in the council area. Balogun also urged May & Baker to especially sensitise the women folks on the appropriate foods the family should be eating to achieve a healthy life for the family.
