On the occasion of the international Hypertension Day, and in pursuit of the well-being of the community, LAU Medical Center- Rizk Hospital organized a multidisciplinary health fair event to create awareness on hypertension also known as the silent killer which affects one in every three adults worldwide.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition that leads to many health-related complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and dementia. The major reason why hypertension often goes unnoticed is because it does not show any symptoms until it has reached a critical stage, where it’s difficult to control.
The event took place in the hospital’s garden, with the objective of:
- Providing visitors with information about the origin, risk factors, complications, and screening methods for hypertension and stroke.
- Sharing with visitors information about the appropriate medications for hypertension and stroke.
- Educating participants on the importance of weight management, a healthy diet such as the DASH diet, and physical activity.
Doctors, nurses, hospital staff, media representatives and the hospital’s visitors were invited to take a tour on the various booths to test their hypertension, know their numbers while being provided with tips and plans on how to manage them if needed.
Six departments have taken part in this initiative and were involved in the success of the event:
The Cardiology department: highlighted the risk factors, the screening methods for hypertension, and its complication, while raising awareness on the importance of screening as well as when and how to do it.
The Nephrology department: emphasized on how to accurately measure blood pressure, using validated measuring tools. They also clearly defined the different stages of hypertension. Monitoring sheets were also distributed to all visitors to better control their numbers.
The Neurology department: explained about the risk factors and screening methods for stroke. They also emphasized that prevention remains the best way to manage stroke, and this is ultimately achieved by tackling the risk factors. At the top of which is hypertension which increases risk of ischemic strokes up to four times. They stressed how to recognize the early signs of a stroke the earlier the patient shows up to the ER the better outcome and recovery he/she would achieve.
The Pharmacy department: tackled high blood pressure and stroke medications, their uses, roles, and side effects. They highlighted the importance of medication compliance and instructed attendees on methods to identify tablets suitable for splitting.
The Nutrition and Dietetics department: Raised awareness about the role of nutrition and lifestyle modifications, to effectively manage the silent killer and prevent strokes. They also explained the recommended DASH diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) and reinforced the importance of implementing healthy lifestyle factors, smoking cessation.
The Physiotherapy department: Educated attendees on how to calculate the adequate heart rate on different training zone. They also explained the importance and benefits of physical activity especially for the heart and to control blood pressure. Physical activity can in fact work on beta-blocker medication to slow the heart rate and to decrease blood pressure at rest and while exercising.
The event was a great success, with many attendees praising LAU Medical Center- Rizk Hospital for providing valuable information on hypertension.
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