High Blood Pressure Does Not Care About Your Age or Your Wallet

When singer Lira suffered a stroke in 2022 due to a sudden spike in blood pressure, it shocked South Africans. Since then she has shared her journey of rebuilding her speech and regaining her voice. Broadcaster Siki Mgabadeli has similarly faced a long road to recovery after experiencing a stroke.

Their experiences highlight a crucial truth. Cardiovascular disease is not just an old person's issue, nor does it only affect people who look unhealthy. High blood pressure is a silent threat that can affect women in their 30s and 40s who appear active, fit, and well.

Left unchecked, high blood pressure damages blood vessels throughout your body. In the brain, it triggers a stroke. In the heart, it causes a heart attack by blocking blood flow to the cardiac muscle. Global music icon Miriam Makeba tragically lost her life to a sudden heart attack, reminding us how quickly cardiovascular events can strike.

Because high blood pressure rarely shows warning signs, knowing key emergency symptoms can save a life.

• Facial drooping. One side of the face sags or feels numb, especially when trying to smile.
• Arm weakness. Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm when raising both arms.
• Speech difficulty. Slurred speech, trouble finding words, or difficulty understanding others.
• Sudden severe headache or chest pain. An intense sudden headache, or tightness and pain in your chest, arm, or jaw.
• Vision problems. Sudden blurriness, double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes.

What you can do

Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Speak to your relatives today to learn your family history of high blood pressure and visit your local clinic or pharmacy for an annual screening. Catching high blood pressure early saves lives.

Where to get help

Public clinics offer free blood pressure checks. Many pharmacies offer screening at low or no cost.

Sources

Every claim on this page is traceable. These are the documents it rests on.

1. Ubufazi Health Heart Health Editorial Brief, referencing Lira, Siki Mgabadeli, and Miriam Makeba public health awareness examples