Ho, Nov. 7, GNA - Dr Anthony Ashinyo, the Secretary to the Volta Region Division of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA,) on Tuesday urged the public to treat hypertension as a very serious health problem that demands regular checks ups.

"It is a silent killer without any warning sign," Dr Ashinyo said when the GMA undertook a hypertension and obesity screening exercise in the Ho Central market as part of its 48 annual general meeting under the theme, "environmental sanitation, law and order and health", in Ho.

The screening exercise was preceded by two hours of clean-up exercise at the central lorry park by the association. This was followed by a symbolic presentation of a "Gift of life", made up of pens and notebook, brooms, a tape-measure and the branch of a tree to the Ho Municipal Assembly.

Dr Ashinyo said unless those who have hypertension went for check up at the hospital they would appear to be healthy while in actual fact they would be sitting on time bombs. He explained that hypertension could be a family trait for which reason members of such families should avoid alcohol, smoking and sedentary lifestyles. Miss Enyonam Doamekpor, a Nursing Officer at the Volta regional Hospital, advised those found to have hypertension to take their drugs regularly and undertake regular checks. 07 Nov 06