News
SAHS Endorses the World Hypertension League-International Society of Hypertension’s Sodium Policy
The Southern African Hypertension Society endorses the sodium policy statement of the World Hypertension League (WHL) and the International Society for Hypertension (ISH). ... » read more
Letter to The Times on Hypertension
Our letter refers to the headline and the article published on the front page of ‘The Times’ on the 12 September. The statistician-general, Pali Lehohla, was reported as saying that deaths due to hypertension and stroke were more common in white South Africans compared to Blacks because hypertension is a disease of “not being happy”. ... » read more
Have your blood pressure tested
To educate South Africans about the potential deadly outcome of a lack of, or poor management of hypertension (HTN), also known as high blood pressure (BP), pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier Novartis is running the Beat2Beat Pressure Pledge campaign, issuing a call to action to all South Africans to take advantage of the opportunity to have their blood pressure tested. ... » read more
Do you have hypertension?
The University of Cape Town is looking for people with hypertension (and a history of an ischemic attack) to fill out a survey on Quality of Life. If you are interested in taking part you can contact the principal researcher, Michelle Henry, at mhmish@gmail.com. She can also be contacted if you have any questions you want to ask before deciding to take part. ... » read more
Hypertension Practitioner Recognition Programme
SAHS is pleased to announce the Hypertension Practitioner recognition programme, which is aimed to improve knowledge about the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension by encouraging and rewarding attendance at the biennial South African Hypertension Society congress. The programme will be directed towards specialists, primary care medical practitioners, pharmacists and nurse practitioners. ... » read more
KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE ON WORLD HEART DAY
“Heart disease is a killer. The facts speak for themselves - after HIV/AIDS, heart disease is the leading cause of death in South Africa,”¹ says Professor Krisela Steyn, Chronic Disease Initiative in Africa researcher and project leader of several blood pressure studies. “It is time to place the spotlight squarely on one of the main culprits, hypertension, as a key contributor to heart disease,” she stresses. “Take a moment and look around you, 1 out of every 5 adults you see is suffering from hypertension.” ... » read more
GET ACTIVE ON WORLD HEART DAY
Experts agree that healthy heart exercises get our hearts pumping, and are an excellent way of reducing the chances of suffering from hypertension. Research has shown that leisure-time walking, when done regularly, releases endorphins, the release of which, even in small amounts, can be associated with mental wellbeing. Such wellbeing can help in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. In addition, a good exercise program can also keep our weight manageable. ... » read more
SKIP THAT SALT
High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is the leading cause of death in developing as well as in developed countries. More than six million South Africans suffer from hypertension, translating into one in every five persons. Hypertension is a 'silent killer' and a major risk factor for heart disease and strokes. Sodium, essential for our bodies, but which we overuse in our daily diets, is widely acknowledged as one of the main causes of hypertension in sufferers. ... » read more
KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE FOR YOUR HEART'S SAKE
Hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure, is a silent killer. It affects 1 in every 5 adults, and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and death in adults over the age of 50/55. * Globally, 7 million people die every year and there are 1.5 billion sufferers because of hypertension.* Shocking statistics presented in a recent South Africa Demographic and Health Survey, indicate that a staggering 6.1 million South Africans have a blood pressure (BP) of greater than 140/90mmHg or are taking medication for hypertension.* ... » read more
