Must Read: Beyond Knowing Your Blood Pressure

Many of us are aware that hypertension (high blood pressure) most often presents with no symptoms or signs (silent killer) and the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to spend a few minutes of your precious time to have a professional check of your blood pressure. One of the major barriers to effective control of hypertension is simply that people are not aware their blood pressure is high. Therefore simple affordable steps to incorporate routine blood pressure assessment into community programmes and workplaces, as well as all healthcare settings, could play a major role. It is important to note that: � Hypertension is the leading cause of death and morbidity (illness) in adults. � Hypertension is a major cause of strokes, heart attacks and heart failures, among several other conditions, and all these are extreme life-changing events. � High blood pressure is a common cause of lost days of work. Research shows that high blood pressure is a major financial drain on individuals, companies and countries. Irrespective of the way you feel, even if your blood pressure has always been normal, even if you are too busy or too tired or you exercise daily so you do not think it is necessary; no matter the well rehearsed excuse you may come up with, kindly make time to check your blood pressure regularly. It is important to check your blood pressure, find out if you have or had a family member with hypertension or other heart disease and exercise most days of the week (the reduction in blood pressure caused by exercise lasts for only 72 hours so consistency is the name of the game).