The economic outlook for Africa is looking better this year than the last few years according to a report by the African Development Bank and
other key international bodies. Africa is expected to achieve a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 5% in 2016. This can only mean good
news for the people of the continent…or can it?

Improvements in the economic circumstances of the people of Africa, amongst other factors, have led to changes in lifestyle. Whilst there are
many good things to be said about increased wealth leading to better access to healthcare, better housing and good food, there is the risk of
increased alcohol consumption, increase in the consumption of salt from processed or restaurant food and more time spent using technology
for entertainment instead of exercising. These unintended changes in lifestyle that accompany increasing wealth, if not carefully managed,
can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, amongst other illnesses.

This edition of First Class Health turns the spotlight on high blood pressure and highlights the importance of lifestyle changes in maintaining normal blood pressure. With minor adjustments in lifestyle, we can ensure that Africa continues to rise while the blood pressure of its people stays normal.

Details of this free digital magazine can be found on http://firstclass-health.com/digital-magazine-april-2016/

Highlights of statistics for high blood pressure from the magazine

High blood pressure is a leading contributing factor to non-communicable diseases such
as stroke and heart diseases. It is responsible for 1.6 million deaths worldwide each year
with 80 percent of those deaths occurring in low-income and middle-income countries. A
report from the World Health Organization shows that more people die from heart
diseases (of which high blood pressure is a contributing factor) in Sub Saharan Africa (12.5 per cent)
than from HIV/AIDS (12.3 percent) or malaria (7.3 percent). This statistic will surprise most Africans as the
latter 2 conditions seem to be more closely associated with the continent.

More details such as a case study, from the Drs office, Myth sections and quiz will interest you. Just visit
http://firstclass-health.com/digital-magazine-april-2016/ you can also find our previous editions on the website

I am not a health expert but from experience, the root cause of many health conditions such as high blood pressure is change of lifestyle. If Africans stick to their traditional diets and not rush to fast foods and other quick fix meals from the west we can save ourselves alot of medical expenses and early death.