Avoid sitting for long hours to avert hypertension, says neurosurgeon

A consultant neurosurgeon, Teddy Totimeh has warned that sitting for prolonged hours without being active can expose one to hypertension.

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common but can be serious if not treated.

Currently, hypertension is the second major killer after accidents for people between the ages of 40 and above in Ghana.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (16 May), Totimeh advised Ghanaians to always be active.

“So like we are saying, ultimately it is activity, does the job make you active? If it does, your risk is lower, does the job keep you sitting? Your risk is higher.”

“And do you allow your job to keep you active or sitting? I was encouraged the first time I came to Asaase Radio, and I saw the person presenting the programme standing. The truth is having this capacity to keep standing during this programme is a plus…”

Totimeh added, “It means blood has been pumped to muscles using the energies and the body has seen that maybe we are going somewhere, and the loading has slowed down then blood pressures come down, so whatever we do we should look for opportunity to be active.”