World Hypertension Day: Measure your blood pressure, control it, live longer!

Overview

The World Hypertension day is celebrated on May 17 every year. It is observed annually to raise awareness about hypertension.World Hypertension day was initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL).

Objective

The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to  prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic.

Theme 2021

The theme for World Hypertension day 2021 is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer, focusing on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods. 

Key facts

• Hypertension – or elevated blood pressure – is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.
• An estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries.
• In 2015, 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women had hypertension.  
• Fewer than 1 in 5 people with hypertension have the problem under control. 
• Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.
• One of the global targets for noncommunicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025 (baseline 2010).

Risk factors 

• Modifiable risk factors include unhealthy diets (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables), physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight or obese.
• Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Prevention is KEY! 

• Eat healthily and reduce salt consumption
• Eat more fruit and vegetables Limit alcohol intake
• Don’t smoke Be physically active
• Maintain a healthy body weight

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Recommended readings

• RECOMMENDED ONLINE COURSES ON HYPERTENSION
• Know Your Numbers!!! World Hypertension Day 2017 | Public Health …
• WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY 2020: MEASURE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE, CONTROL IT, LIVE LONGER #KNOWYOURNUMBER
• Virtual Course on accurate automated blood pressure measurement
• Hypertension kills nearly 1.5 million people each year in the WHO SEAR
• Know Your Numbers!!! World Hypertension Day 2017
• World Hypertension Day 17 May 2016: Time to Drop the Pressure