THE Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) has said that for three years it has served 361,894 patients out of which 238,850 equal to 66 percent had high blood pressure.

That was said yesterday in Dar es Salaam by executive director of JKCI Dr Peter Kisenge when speaking to journalists about the achievements of the institution during the three years of the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Dr Kisenge who is a cardiologist said 90 percent of high blood pressure patients have no symptoms until they are tested but some symptoms are loss of consciousness, severe pain in the chest, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and bleeding from the nose.

"When you see these symptoms, you must seek medical treatment immediately. I also urge people to develop the habit of screening blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly and for those who are diagnosed with a problem and prescribed medication, they should not stop using drugs even if they feel relief," he said.

The cardiologist said that a person can avoid getting high blood pressure by exercising, focusing on a healthy diet by eating fruits, vegetables, foods with potassium minerals as well as reducing eating foods with a large amount of fat and salt.

He said it is important for people to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption but prioritize screening the level of sugar in the body, blood pressure screening and the level of fat in the body.

Dr Kisenge mentioned the effects of high blood pressure as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, dilatation of the wall of heart arteries, kidney disease, and erectile dysfunction for men, sudden death and hence reduced life expectancy.

He said that 25 percent of heart disease deaths occurring in the world are caused by high blood pressure and the disease is the leading cause of death all over the world.