Since the latter months of 2019 and up to today, there is not a single day that goes by without the words coronavirus or COVID passing our lips. None of us has been spared the upheaval wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, which has been declared to be a public health emergency. This virus, an emerging threat, has stretched the resources available to the health systems and decimated economic activity. The impacts have been felt at all levels of society and the responses which were mounted continue to evolve. COVID-19 experts have identified a number of vulnerable groups which include persons living with diabetes and hypertension and therefore we support the collective effort to prevent and control the spread of this virus.
It is regrettable that COVID-19 has dominated the world’s attention, but it had also highlighted the fundamental priority and attention which needs to be given to health care. While sectors classified as non-essential reduced their contact with the public, essential workers were called upon to ramp up their contribution and design innovative responses.
Even before the global pandemic wrought by this invisible virus, there was considerable consideration directed towards non-communicable diseases on our little piece of heaven, Barbados.
The statistics on these diseases are concerning but the distress rises when we consider that behind every diagnosis is an individual, family, community, business that will be impacted negatively if the condition is uncontrolled.
So the association made the unprecedented decision to add hypertension to its mandate.
This decision triggered a legal process which culminated on 21 September 2020 when a certificate was issued by the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, confirming the approval of a name change to The Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados.
The Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados is proud to announce the launch of its logo. Sweat and tears were invested in ensuring that this logo honoured the forefathers of the association while embracing the future we are forging for all citizens of this great nation.
While this new logo integrates elements representative of diabetes and hypertension, the attention is directed towards the map of Barbados for this is our ultimate focus. This is intentional as our goal is to reposition our greatest resources – you our citizens – to achieve the highest levels of personal and national well-being.
Let us therefore seize the day i.e.
commit to examining our lives and habits and follow through on activities which create an improved quality of life.
We, at The Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados, are prepared to provide advice, educational materials, counselling as well as access to resources and programming to assist you.
The time for change has come…not just for us, but for you as well. Join us.
We look forward to hearing from you.
May 17 is World Hypertension Day!
Healthy is not just a goal, it is a way of living.
During the course of our lives, we develop habits and preferences. When it comes to our health, we have to determine if those preferences foster good health or if they predispose us to ill-health or disease.
For most persons who are diagnosed with hypertension (also referred to as high blood pressure), there are no symptoms which we can definitively point to as red flags that something is amiss.
The International Society of Hypertension, through the World Hypertension League, sought to bring annual awareness to the impact of hypertension on the global population through World Hypertension Day.
Approximately four in ten adults older than 25 years have hypertension. This means that collectively, almost one billion people across the world have hypertension. The unfortunate reality is that approximately 50% of these people are unaware of their condition.
Of those who are aware, half of them do not take any action to control their blood pressure either through lifestyle modification or medication. This means 75% of the world’s population diagnosed with hypertension are at risk and are potential candidates for heart disease, stroke or kidney disease or even sudden death.
This year’s theme is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer” to highlight the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement methods.
If you have a blood pressure monitor or are looking to purchase one so you can measure your blood pressure at home, please take note of the following recommendations:
• Be still. Don’t smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Empty your bladder and ensure at least five minutes of quiet rest before measurements.
• Sit correctly. Sit with your back straight and supported (on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow.
• Measure at the same time every day.
It is important to take the readings at the same time each day, such as morning and evening. It is best to take the readings daily; however, if this is not possible, ensure that if your medications have been changed, to take your blood pressure for the next two weeks as well as the week before your next appointment.
• Take multiple readings and record the results. Each time you measure, take
two or three readings one minute apart and record the results. If your monitor has built-in memory to store your readings, take it with you to your appointments.
• Don’t take the measurement over clothes.
The good news is that blood pressure is easy to measure without any discomfort. And once you know you have elevated blood pressure, you can do something to prevent and control rising blood pressure and thus avoid potential risk.
The World Hypertension League (WHL) recommends that everyone should get their blood pressure checked at least once every year. While the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed the annual May Measurement Month campaign, if you have not visited your physician in the last year or do not have your own blood pressure monitor, this is your reminder to get your blood pressure tested. Call or message a friend to remind them as well. Let us all do our part and spread awareness on this year’s World Hypertension Day.
The Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados “Jessamine Cot”, Cnr. Jessamine Avenue, Beckles Road, St. Michael BB14025 Telephone: (246) 427-9338 OR (246) 437-2285 Email: [email protected] Website: www.diabetes.bb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ dhabarbados Instagram: dhabarbados Podcasts of previous radio broadcasts of “For The Health Of It” available @ http://vob929.
com/forthehealthofit/
