PREVENTING HYPERTENSION: THE LIFESAVING IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR BP CHECKS

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]A growing number of citizens in St. Lucia are passing away prematurely, primarily due to complications from high blood pressure or hypertension. Local health officials continue to stress the vital importance of preventative measures to combat this silent killer.

[00:00:17]The condition earned this ominous moniker because many individuals remain completely unaware they have it simply because they do not monitor their blood pressure regularly.

[00:00:30]Many of our experts say all the time that people do not have to die or they should not die from the complications of hypertension if the protocols are followed and if we continue to monitor our blood pressure.

[00:00:45]It is very important for St. Lucians to understand that many St. Lucians every single year many St. Lucians die as a result of the complications of high blood pressure and hypertension.

[00:01:00]It is called a silent killer, as we know already.

[00:01:05]Many people, most people who have high blood pressure may not know because many people do not test regularly for high blood pressure.

[00:01:15]High blood pressure forces the heart to work much harder than normal, gradually damaging blood vessels over time. Health authorities warn that if hypertension is left unmanaged, it significantly increases the risk of developing broader non-communicable diseases and CDs, which currently stand as the leading cause of death on the island. Health Minister Moses Jn. Baptiste expressed grave concern over recent national data, which reveals that while 40% of the adult population suffers from elevated blood pressure, the actual rates of medical control remain dangerously inadequate.

[00:01:55]It's more likely for individuals who are affected to have heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.

[00:02:02]Therefore, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Nutrition wishes once again to raise the awareness, and at every opportunity, we raise the awareness among the population about the importance of checking and managing your blood pressure.

[00:02:21]In St. Lucia, we note our most recent figures indicate that only 14% of our people who go to the wellness centers are able to control their high blood pressure effectively.

[00:02:42]This is indeed concerning, and we are working with our partners, both private sector and other public sector agencies, to ensure that that awareness is widespread, and that our people pay more pay closer attention to it.

[00:02:59]Minister Jn Baptiste, alongside senior health officials, also highlighted a troubling economic trend, a sharp rise in sickness benefit claims. Authorities worried this growing health crisis will severely impact the local workforce, overall economic productivity, and St. Lucia's broader financial stability.

[00:03:21]Many of our people who have to go to work um are unable to work, are unable to to you know, to to develop their their their full potential because of non-communicable diseases, and this time we are speaking of um conditions like like high blood pressure and hypertension.

[00:03:40]So, I I wish to indi- to indicate to you that our ministry continues to work through various programs, uh through through the the Caribbean Wellness Program, St. Lucia wellness program, St. Lucia moves, and a number of programs to create that awareness. In a response, the Ministry of Health is actively working to reduce premature deaths tied to NCDs and their underlying risk factors. Their strategic push aims to alleviate both the social and economic strain currently weighing on the country. A core component of this national initiative is the ongoing rollout of universal health coverage, which is specifically designed to ensure that vulnerable groups and financially disadvantaged citizens can access essential health care services without barriers. Gina Filippi, HTS Newsforce.