World Hypertension Day 2020: Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer #KnowYourNumber
17 May is celebrated as a World Hypertension Day (WHD), which is initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL). Officially, the World Hypertension League (WHL) has announced that it will postpone the celebration of World Hypertension Day (WHD) 2020 until October 17, 2020, due to global COVID-19 pandemic.
Theme
The theme for World Hypertension Day is Know Your Numbers with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world.
The expanded theme for World Hypertension Day is Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer, with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world.
Purpose
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.
According to WHO, Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.
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
Untreated hypertension can cause death or serious health consequences
- HEART ATTACK
- STROKE
- DEMENTIA
- KIDNEY FAILURE
- VISION LOSS
Ways to reduce burden of hypertension
Reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, as well as other health problems.
Prevention
- Reducing salt intake (to less than 5g daily)
- Eating more fruit and vegetables
- Being physically active on a regular basis
- Avoiding use of tobacco
- Reducing alcohol consumption
- Limiting the intake of foods high in saturated fats
- Eliminating/reducing trans fats in diet
Management
- Reducing and managing mental stress
- Regularly checking blood pressure
- Treating high blood pressure
- Managing other medical conditions
SOURCE OF INFORMATION: WHO, World Hypertension League and ISH.
Hypertension a growing concern among youth
World Hypertension Day 2018: Know Your Numbers!
Hypertension kills nearly 1.5 million people each year in the WHO SEAR
World Health Statistics 2020: Monitoring health for the SDGs
Why is hypertension important?
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