Uncategorized
New Heart Guidelines Call for Stricter Blood Pressure Control and Alcohol Abstinence
Starting now, doctors may take a firmer approach to managing high blood pressure, and enjoying that nightly glass of wine or weekend cocktail could be discouraged. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) released updated blood pressure guidelines on Thursday, their first since 2017.
The new guidelines reflect the latest research aimed at helping medical providers reduce heart disease—the world’s leading cause of death—by controlling one of its most modifiable risk factors: blood pressure. Proper management can also lower the risk of kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
Nearly half of U.S. adults have elevated blood pressure. While the definition of “normal” remains the same—less than 120/80 mmHg, with 120–129/80 mmHg considered elevated—patients with readings of 130/80 mmHg or higher are now urged to take action.
Blood pressure measures the force of blood against arterial walls, expressed as systolic (pressure while the heart beats) over diastolic (pressure while the heart rests) in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). High blood pressure often has no symptoms but strains the heart and arteries, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Updated Treatment Approach
For patients with systolic pressure between 130–139 mmHg, doctors should first recommend lifestyle changes. If blood pressure remains high after three to six months, medication may be prescribed—a shift from the 2017 guidelines, which suggested medication only for readings above 140 mmHg.
Lifestyle changes include maintaining a healthy weight, following a heart-healthy diet, reducing salt intake, managing stress, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, and including resistance training.
A notable update is the recommendation to avoid alcohol. Previously, moderate drinking was considered acceptable—up to one drink per day for women and two for men. Research now shows alcohol can negatively affect blood pressure, prompting the guideline’s shift toward abstinence, with lower limits for those who choose to drink.
Focus on Brain Health and Pregnancy
The new guidelines also highlight that lowering blood pressure may reduce dementia risk. Additionally, women planning pregnancy or already pregnant are encouraged to monitor blood pressure closely, as elevated readings can harm both mother and child and increase long-term risk.
Dietary guidance still emphasizes the DASH diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils, while low in fat, sugar, and tropical oils. Sodium intake should ideally be below 1,500 mg daily, with a maximum of 2,300 mg. Increasing potassium intake through home cooking and salt substitutes is also recommended.
For those with overweight or obesity, a weight loss of at least 5% is advised. More severe cases may require diet, exercise, weight-loss medications like GLP-1s, or even surgery.
Dr. Daniel Jones, chair of the AHA writing committee, acknowledges these steps can be challenging but emphasizes their effectiveness:
“It’s hard, but it works. Eating well, reducing sodium, and managing weight can dramatically improve your health if you commit to it.”
Uncategorized
Albert Bondah takes over Media & PR Duties for Ghana Comedy Awards 2026
The organisers of the Ghana Comedy Awards 2026 have officially unveiled Albert Bondah as the new Media and Public Relations Manager for the highly anticipated sixth edition of the awards ceremony.
The announcement, which has already generated excitement within Ghana’s entertainment industry, forms part of the organisers’ broader efforts to strengthen the awards brand and expand its visibility ahead of this year’s event.

A graduate of the University of Cape Coast, Albert Bondah brings on board a wealth of experience in entertainment publicity, media relations, and strategic communications. His impressive portfolio includes serving as Road Manager for the Central Music Awards, as well as Media Relations Officer for organisations and brands such as African Arts Network, 2Cute Entertainment, Parrot Mouth Productions, PB Entertainment, Keche Global, and Fiifi Coleman Productions, among several other notable institutions within the creative industry.
With his extensive background in entertainment communications, Albert Bondah is expected to play a major role in promoting the awards scheme while strengthening engagement with audiences, stakeholders, media partners, and industry players. Many within the entertainment space see his appointment as a strategic move aimed at elevating the profile of the Ghana Comedy Awards both locally and internationally.
Over the years, the Ghana Comedy Awards has grown into one of the country’s leading entertainment platforms dedicated to celebrating comedians, comic actors, and creatives who continue to shape Ghana’s comedy landscape. The scheme has consistently recognised excellence, creativity, and innovation within the rapidly growing comedy industry.
General News
Mahama to Host Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa for Three-Day State Visit
President John Dramani Mahama is set to host Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on a three-day State Visit to Ghana from Wednesday, April 1 to Friday, April 3, 2026.
According to a statement from the Presidency, President Mnangagwa will arrive at the Accra International Airport at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, where he will be received with full military honours by President Mahama. The ceremony will feature an inspection of a Guard of Honour mounted by the Ghana Armed Forces, followed by a 21-gun salute.
Later in the evening, President Mahama will host a State Banquet in honour of his Zimbabwean counterpart, in celebration of the long-standing relations between the two countries.
The highlight of the visit will be bilateral talks between the two leaders at the Peduase Lodge. The discussions, which will begin with a tête-à-tête, are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in key sectors including trade, tourism, health, sanitation, agriculture, anti-corruption efforts, and job creation.
Both leaders are also expected to preside over the signing and exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and Zimbabwe.
As part of his itinerary, President Mnangagwa will visit the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre and the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant to gain insight into Ghana’s advancements in healthcare delivery and sustainable waste management.
He will also pay homage to Ghana’s founding father, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, by laying a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
President Mnangagwa is expected to depart Ghana on Friday, April 3, with full departure honours at the Jubilee Lounge.
The visit is anticipated to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation between Accra and Harare.
Read the statement below;

General News
Global InfoAnalytics: Mahama’s approval rating at 67%; economic optimism slips
President John Dramani Mahama continues to enjoy strong public support, maintaining a 67% approval rating, according to a new poll by Global InfoAnalytics.
The survey released on March 25, 2026, showed that only 26% of voters disapprove of his performance, though it was a slight increase from 24% recorded in December 2025, while approval remains unchanged.
Support for President Mahama, according to the survey, spans all regions, including traditional opposition strongholds.
In the Ashanti Region, which is the stronghold of the opposition, New Patriotic Party (NPP), the poll showed that 56% of voters approve of his performance, while approval stands at 64% in the Eastern Region and 65% in the North East Region.
The poll also indicates that a majority of party affiliates back the president’s performance, except for supporters of the NPP.
In the direction of the country, 65% of respondents in the survey noted that Ghana is headed in the right direction, though there was a marginal drop from 66% in the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, 28% believe the country is on the wrong path, up from 24%, while those with no opinion declined from 10% to 7%.
Living standards appear to have improved for many Ghanaians, with 58% of voters saying their conditions are better than a year ago, compared to 16% who report a decline.
However, optimism about the future has dipped slightly. The poll found that 68% of voters expect their standard of living to improve over the next 12 months, down from 70% in the previous quarter, suggesting growing unease over potential inflationary pressures linked to the Middle East conflict.

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