The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has encouraged all residents to get their blood pressure checked regularly, as it could save their lives.
World Hypertension Day was marked on Sunday, 17 May. Often called the “silent killer”, hypertension (high blood pressure) severely damages your body for years without producing noticeable symptoms.
It is often only discovered after it triggers a life-threatening event, forcing your heart to work too hard while quietly damaging your arteries and organs.
If left untreated or poorly managed, high blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss, and other serious health complications.
In South Africa, it is estimated that about one in three adults is living with high blood pressure. The Department stresses that many people may not know they have it, while others may stop taking treatment when they start feeling better.
However, high blood pressure still needs to be managed even when there are no obvious symptoms.
A staff member at Groote Schuur Hospital, Charmaine Makeba, has spoken out after she was diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy in 2018.
Makeba says she found it difficult to accept that she would need long-term treatment. Over the years, she stopped and restarted her medication, not always realising the risk.
In 2025, Charmaine arrived at work with a severe headache and felt unwell. Her colleagues encouraged her to seek urgent medical attention. Her blood pressure was dangerously high, and she was admitted to the hospital for five days. Doctors later confirmed that uncontrolled hypertension had started affecting her heart.
Makeba is sharing her story to encourage others to take action earlier.
“High blood pressure is a silent killer. You may think you are fine when you are not. I’ve learnt that taking my treatment is choosing life. I would rather be on medication than risk losing my health. If treated early and managed properly, many complications can be prevented or even reversed.”
The Department has acknowledged that it may feel difficult for some people to take daily medication. Some may forget doses, experience side effects, feel discouraged, or stop treatment because they feel well.
But Professor Yazied Chothia, Head of the Nephrology Department at Tygerberg Hospital has encouraged residents to speak to a healthcare worker if they are worried about side effects, costs, access, or how treatment fits into their daily routine.
Chothia adds prevention is better than cure.
“Preventative care starts with simple actions. Knowing your blood pressure numbers and checking them regularly is one of the most important steps individuals can take to protect their health.”
Prevention tips:
- Get regular blood pressure checks during pregnancy.
- Adopting healthy habits from childhood, such as balanced meals, less salt, regular physical activity, and routine health checks.
- Children with a family history of hypertension should be screened and supported to build healthy routines early.
Professor Mignon McCulloch, Head of the Clinical Unit of Paediatric Nephrology and Solid Organ Transplantation at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, emphasises that early awareness matters.
“Early screening is especially important for children with a family history of hypertension. By promoting balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and routine health checks from a young age, we can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications such as kidney disease. Building these healthy habits early lays the foundation for better lifelong health outcomes.”
The bottom line:
- Know your numbers
- Take your treatment as prescribed
- Keep your appointments
- Ask for help early
- Make small daily changes
- Encourage loved ones to check their blood pressure
