SSA Promotes Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Hypertension

SSA reinforces its preventive health strategy with a renewed call for healthier lifestyles to combat hypertension, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. The announcement aligns with World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17.

“Hypertension is both preventable and controllable,” said Javier González Maciel, Head of Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology, Hospital Dr. Eduardo Liceaga. González highlighted that adopting healthier habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition and its related complications.

Hypertension, often referred to as the “silent killer,” is characterized by persistent high blood pressure in the arteries. The condition typically presents no symptoms, which allows it to go undetected for years. If left unmanaged, it increases the likelihood of severe health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

Multiple factors contribute to the development of hypertension. Among the most common are overweight and obesity, unhealthy diets high in salt and saturated fats, alcohol and tobacco use, physical inactivity, and genetic predisposition. According to González, addressing these risk factors through lifestyle changes is critical to reducing the overall burden of the disease.

To support early detection and continuous care, the SSA has implemented the National Protocol for Medical Attention (PRONAM) for Systemic Arterial Hypertension. The protocol aims to strengthen primary care services through timely diagnosis, consistent management, and education on preventive behaviors. It emphasizes routine blood pressure monitoring and lifestyle modifications as central elements of national strategy.

Recommended preventive measures include adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods and sodium, engaging in at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Routine health check-ups, particularly for individuals over 40, are encouraged to facilitate early intervention.

Through PRONAM and public awareness initiatives tied to World Hypertension Day, the government seeks to reduce the incidence of hypertension across the population and mitigate the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases. The campaign is part of broader efforts by PAHO and other international bodies to highlight the importance of prevention in addressing non-communicable diseases.