Recent data from the Ghana Health Service reveals a surge in the number of young people diagnosed with stroke in the country. According to Dr. Efua Commeh, the acting Programme Manager of Non-Communicable Diseases, uncontrolled hypertension is the primary cause of stroke among the youth. While stroke cases were initially recorded among people aged 80 to 90, hospitals are now seeing cases in individuals as young as 35 and 40 years old. The trend, she notes, is a serious health problem in the country, particularly among those in the productive workforce.
Dr. Commeh identified stress as a significant contributor to hypertension and stroke cases among young people. She noted that many young people in Ghana are overwhelmed by pressure from school, work, and home, leading to unhealthy habits such as late-night fast food consumption, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol use. These habits, in turn, raise blood pressure and contribute to the development of hypertension.
For the most part, hypertension is a silent killer, Dr. Commeh warned. Individuals may not realize they have high blood pressure until it causes severe headaches, stroke, or heart attack. Unfortunately, many Ghanaians, including young people, do not check their blood pressure regularly. Dr. Commeh advised young people to adopt healthy habits such as proper diet, regular exercise, and enough rest to avoid hypertension.
In conclusion, Dr. Commeh urged corporate organizations to conduct medical screenings for their staff at least once a year to detect underlying health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. She also advised the public to visit clinics regularly to have their blood pressure checked and to control any diagnosed conditions promptly. By adopting healthy lifestyles, young people in Ghana can avoid the risk of developing hypertension and stroke and live longer, healthier lives.