Today, we celebrate world hypertension day. Also known as high blood pressure, Hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90 and is considered serve if the pressure is above 180/120. High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.
About World Hypertension Day.
World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17th to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection, and control. The World Hypertension League (WHL) initiated World Hypertension Day (WHD). The World Hypertension League works through its member countries to promote hypertension awareness, early detection, and the prevention and control of this modern epidemic. The executive members and council of the WHL encouraged all its member countries to promote awareness in their respective countries through programs of their choice to heighten the importance of early diagnosis, confirmation, treatment, and control. The treatment may be nonpharmacological, pharmacological, or both.
Hypertension affects more people in the world than HIV or AIDS, but people are not aware of their elevated blood pressure status. The consequences of high blood pressure are far-reaching, leading to extensive end-organ damage. If hypertension were to receive the same level of public or political attention as HIV, AIDS, or breast cancer, awareness of high blood pressure would increase significantly.
This is the very purpose of WHD. The aim is to heighten the awareness of hypertension in all spheres – among the public, families, professionals, policymakers, and politicians.
The theme for each WHD is selected by the WHL executive and council members to promote WHD objectives:
- 2005: Awareness of hypertension.
- 2006: Prevent hypertension – ‘treat to goal.’
- 2007: Healthy diet – healthy blood pressure
- 2008: Measure your blood pressure…at home.
WHD has caught the imagination of several member countries of the WHL. In most countries, there is a strong partnership between a few stakeholders that has been built to promote awareness. Such partnership includes but is not limited to, academia, professional societies, governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations. With the involvement of many sectors, the message is promoted very widely.
Simple Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure.
- Eating a Healthier Diet.
Eating a healthier diet with less salt reduces your blood pressure. Aim to eat less than 6g of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful. Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fiber, such as wholegrain rice, bread, and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure.
- Exercising Regularly.
Regular exercise makes the heart stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. As a result, the force on the arteries decreases. This lowers blood pressure.
- Taking Prescribed Medication.
Talk with your healthcare team about the best type of treatment for you.
It is important to take your blood pressure medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to.
- Quit smoking.
Smoking increases blood pressure. Stopping smoking helps lower blood pressure. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall health, possibly leading to a longer life.
- Reduce stress.
Long-term (chronic) emotional stress may contribute to high blood pressure. More research is needed on the effects of stress reduction techniques to find out whether they can reduce blood pressure.
- Monitor your blood pressure at home and get regular checkups.
Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure. It can make certain your medications and lifestyle changes are working. Visit our store to get your BP machine.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
Poor sleep quality — getting fewer than six hours of sleep every night for several weeks — can contribute to hypertension. Several issues can disrupt sleep, including sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and general sleeplessness (insomnia).
Effects of Hypertension.
Hypertension has no symptoms and is the main risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. More than one billion people worldwide live with hypertension (high blood pressure), a major cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. The burden of hypertension is felt disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries, where two-thirds of cases are found, largely due to increased risk factors in those populations in recent decades. What’s more, around half of people living with hypertension are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of avoidable medical complications and death.