File photo of a BP monitor

Dr Adeline Asante-Kwabiah, a paediatrician at the 37 Military Hospital, has disclosed that children can also develop hypertension, as the condition is not limited to adults.

Dr Asante-Kwabiah told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on World Hypertension Day that most cases in children often have an underlying medical condition.

The 2025 World Hypertension Day was themed “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!”

She said that in such cases, treating the underlying condition, such as kidney disease, often improves hypertension.

Dr Asante-Kwabiah urged parents to ensure they follow the recommended diet from the healthcare team for such children, ensure they take their medications, and attend scheduled reviews.

She said hypertension was a major public health concern, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide have the condition, with two-thirds living in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana.

“Unfortunately, an estimated 46 per cent of adults with hypertension are unaware they have the condition. In Ghana, some studies show that approximately one in four adults has high blood pressure,” she noted.

She explained that when high blood pressure goes undetected and untreated for a while, complications such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even erectile dysfunction could occur, noting that blood pressure could be elevated without any symptoms or signs.

Dr Asante-Kwabiah stressed that the only way to know if one’s blood pressure is high is to have it checked, saying, “Knowing your blood pressure empowers you to control it and live longer.”

She encouraged the public to adopt lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy and balanced diet with low salt levels, maintaining an appropriate weight for one’s height, and cutting down on alcohol intake to help control high blood pressure.

She mentioned that some risk factors for developing high blood pressure include advancing age, obesity, consumption of high-salt foods, exposure to persistent stress, excessive alcohol intake, and tobacco use, among others.

She reiterated that it is essential for everyone to know their status by checking their blood pressure regularly, advising those already living with hypertension to modify their lifestyle to minimise risks and avoid complications.