January 2019 updates:
Hypertension and its complication continuously pose a massive threat to the lives of individuals and the community. It has already affected many lives and continues to do so. The morbidity and mortality secondary to Non-Communicable Diseases continues to rise and the numbers are alarming. According to the World Health Organization, mortality from cardiovascular diseases accounts for 17.9 million deaths every year. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcoholic beverage drinking, unhealthy diet, and sedentary lifestyle are the common causes of hypertension.
The Barangay Bag-Ong Dalaguete is not exempted from this continuous rise of hypertension. Based form the recent house-to-house survey conducted last January 2019. 42% (175 of 417) are identified as Pre-hypertensives and 40 individuals are identified to have an elevated blood pressure.
This exposure, the team conducted a house-to-house survey where we were able to update the hypertension master list and reassess the blood pressure of the residents above eighteen (18) years old and followed up those already have been included in the list. Information dissemination regarding the Mass Hypertension Diagnosis at the Rural Health Unit (RHU) was also done.
On January 19,2019, the team coordinated with Mahayag Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Lumapas for a mass hypertension diagnosis where seven (7) newly diagnosed with Hypertension and concurrently enrolled to the Hypertension club. Free anti-hypertensive medications from the Rural Health Unit (RHU) were also given.
The team had also conducted a Blood Pressure (BP) taking demonstration where a number of enthusiastic volunteers, members of the hypertension club and the kagawad for health were trained in proper BP taking. An initial health teaching regarding the nature of Hypertension, its causes, risk factors, treatment and complications was done, afterwards proper blood pressure taking was demonstrated and return demonstration was conducted afterwards. Two (2) sets of sphygmomanometers with stethoscopes where given to the selected monitoring group. Lastly, the monitoring booklets were also handed out to the hypertensive club members and instructed them how to utilize it. booklets were also handed out to the hypertensive club members and instructed them how to utilize it.
“If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it”.
-Wanda Skyes