High Blood Pressure threatens the young

high-blood-pressure-300x199A health official is highlighting the prevalence of High Blood Pressure, referred to as the silent killer, among young people.

Nurse Sylvia Julien has said High Blood Pressure not only affects older persons, “but the young as well.”

And according to her, as persons grow older their risk of developing high blood pressure increases.

Nurse Julien made this statement recently while representing the Hypertension group at the start of an annual Health Fair held at the Dominica State College (DSC).

“What we have seen in the health sector, previously the older people would come down with high blood pressure, but now we have 14 and 16 year olds who are coming down with High Blood Pressure,” she said.

According to Nurse Julien, women may be seen as being more at risk in developing High Blood Pressure.

“I guess probably stress is related to High Blood Pressure, maybe women are more stressed  doing all the work at home, managing the family; so that could be an issue.”

She said family history is one of the contributors to people developing High Blood Pressure. “So if your mother or your father or your grandfather had high blood pressure then you are at greater risk of developing the disease,” Nurse Julien explained.

She said socio-economic factors can also increase one’s risk of developing the disease.

“Because our diet, if our socio-economic is low, we are not able to purchase the correct foods then we are at risk of developing,” she explained. “If we have a diet which is high in sodium, high in salt, this puts us at risk for developing High Blood Pressure.”

She added, “Also lack of activity, the body becomes obese…all these are risk factors for developing High Blood Pressure.”

She encourages persons to decrease the amount of salt and fats taken in to their diet and increase physical activities, while leaving a life that is less stressful.

She also appealed to college students to have their blood pressure checked. “Take charge of our lifestyle, avoid smoking, alcohol use, limit our intake of alcohol or avoid alcohol use. Get active and watch what you eat.”

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6 Comments

  1. The Facts
    April 29, 2015

    They should also make fruit smoothies with a little water or coconut milk or milk. Fruits are filled with water. In themselves, they are a great source for releasing toxin from the body. In other words, they are cleansing. As always, in moderation.
    I read of the health benefits of ripe and green papaw, coconut, coconut water (the fresh ones), coconut oil, watermelon and many more fruits which Dominica has.
    I love fruits and vegetables. It is said drink them. Simply Google the information and of the smoothies and shakes.
    Let us say, we are not making enough use of God-created fruits and vegetables for our health benefit. I do feel if we ate nutritiously, we could live better, longer and healthy – healthier. Health habits also commences from youth. Teach the children accordingly.

  2. April 28, 2015

    Some people are eating too much…i personallly know a woman when she was in her early thirty’s she had high blood pressure,i do not know when exactly she found out,she eats 4 turkey wings ,half a mastif loaf of bread,1/2 a litre of juice,1lb of lettuce,1lb of tomatoe,plus a big cup of oats and 1 1/2 of water at the end of the meal ,i was in a shock to see how much a lady can eat at one time.all the food she eats for one meal can feed my son and myself for a week ,by using the same thing once a week,,,i told her about it and her health problems she told me that i am not the one who is buying it for her,,she must take medicins every day many times per day..people should educate themselves of the dangers of eating alot and high blood pressure,,nonetheless health officers cannot walk behind every one at the same time…high blood pressure is a very serious health issue that we should take seriously ,eat well to live well ..

    • The Facts
      April 29, 2015

      I can imagine how you feel when you see someone eating so much and gulping down food. It could be upsetting.
      It is said that there is a reason why people eat so much. It is also for different reasons; not necessarily because they are hungry. Simply consider their life’s situation and then you could deduce why some of them eat and drink so much. I am not referring to drinking liquor. She has a severe problem and probably a psychological one.
      There are some people who cannot help themselves. They can’t see food without eating at all times and a lot. Left to me I would not eat at all although I love to cook and like tasty meals. I talk more of food, of recipes than I eat. I eat because I have to eat and I am .selective of what I eat without being on a diet. :)

  3. The Facts
    April 27, 2015

    Please inform me, when did the word “persons” replace “people”? I always know when referring to more than one person it is “people”.
    We all make unintentional mistakes. I could not help but notice the word “leaving” rather than “living” in the paragraph before the last.

    Youths are too young to have high blood pressure. This is caused by the factors which are outlined in this article.
    Other factors, “anger and anxiety” lead to stress. Some must be told that they should avoid getting too angry. There are those who get angry too quickly. Some are constantly angry. It could be a psychological problem. There are others who live with suppressed anger. These take their toll on the health and could also affect the heart and brains.
    They must eat and drink nutritiously. Milk, Citrus fruits and juice, other fruits and vegetables and water. Everything, always in moderation. Ample sleep and rest are necessary. If they ingest illegal drugs, they must cease doing so.

  4. jay
    April 27, 2015

    Diet is key. Stop eating fast food and get back to your kitchen. Cook your own food. Get off the bus or your car and walk. Stop trying to be like what you see on tv and rather start exercising and cook your own food and see what happens.

    • The Facts
      April 29, 2015

      In the long run they will feel better, lighter and happier.

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