Elevating Awareness Ahead of World hypertension Day

In anticipation of World Hypertension Day (JMHTA) on May 14th, the Coeur Citizen Foundation convened a vital scientific seminar on May 3rd at the Academy of Metabolic Diseases in Yopougon Saint-Louis, Abidjan. The central theme, Measure your blood pressure with precision, control it, live longer, underscored the urgent need for proactive hypertension management. This pre-JMHTA event served as a platform for young researchers, including hospital interns, to present their findings and contribute to the ongoing dialog surrounding this critical health issue.

Hypertension: A Silent Threat Demanding Attention

Despite persistent public health campaigns, hypertension remains a pervasive and often undetected health risk. Dr. Soya Esaïe, a lecturer and associate in cardiology specializing in vascular medicine, emphasized that hypertension is a notable catalyst for cardiovascular diseases, frequently manifesting in severe, even fatal, complications. Current estimates suggest that 30-40% of the population lives with hypertension, highlighting the scale of this public health challenge.

Early detection is paramount.Dr. Esaïe advises seeking immediate medical consultation upon experiencing initial symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, palpitations, or tinnitus. Moreover, adopting a healthier lifestyle—reducing salt and alcohol intake, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing stress—is crucial. Therapeutic education, including adherence to prescribed medication even after blood pressure stabilizes, is equally vital for long-term management.

From Medical to Personal: Reconstructing Identity in Chronic Disease management

dr. Sonia Yapi, a health sociology specialist at the Abidjan anti-Diabetic Center (CADA), advocated for a paradigm shift from conventional medical treatment to a more personalized approach.During her presentation on Deconstruction and identity reconstruction at the announcement of the diagnosis of diabetes: clinical cases of a diabetic patient, she stressed the importance of considering the patient’s social habitat, especially in the context of chronic conditions.

We must go from the care of the disease to the care of the person, taking into account the social environment of the patient, especially in the case of chronic pathologies in order to allow all these people living with these diseases to live fully, by accepting the treatment prescribed by the doctor, but also to accept their condition of patient for an efficient therapeutic care.

Dr. Sonia Yapi, Abidjan Anti-Diabetic Center (CADA)

Dr. Yapi elaborated on the inherent conflict between established lifestyles and the necessary adjustments required for managing chronic illnesses. Unlike acute conditions with short-term treatments, chronic diseases necessitate significant lifestyle modifications, particularly dietary changes. She emphasized the need for collaboration and negotiation with patients to navigate the psycho-social challenges of accepting and managing their condition effectively. This person’s medicine approach fosters a stronger therapeutic alliance and improves patient outcomes.

The Path Forward: integrated Strategies for Hypertension Control

The pre-JMHTA seminar underscored the multifaceted nature of hypertension management.Effective control requires a combination of precise blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and, crucially, a patient-centered approach that acknowledges the individual’s social and emotional context.As World Hypertension day approaches, these discussions serve as a timely reminder of the ongoing need for increased awareness, proactive screening, and personalized care to combat this silent killer and promote healthier, longer lives.