Every year, we celebrate world hypertension day on 17th May. The focus of this year’s theme is to create awareness and communicate in our social networks about accurately measuring blood pressure regularly, because Blood pressures is one the main risk factor for heart diseases, stroke, kidney failure and dementia.
Dr. Sarla Kumari
Specialist Physician Diabetologist
Hypertension affects more than 30 per cent of the adult population worldwide, which is more than one billion people around the world.
World Hypertension Day is a great opportunity to do a basic check on our health status particularly amid the corona virus pandemic.
Theme of World Hypertension Day 2021
Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer – is the theme of World Hypertension Day 2021.
The objective of world hypertension day to communicate the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension among patients, early diagnosis and treatment can avoid serious consequences of hypertension such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and dementia.
Hypertension major silent killer of the world, with regular check ups and treatment we can prevents bad health effects of high blood pressure on the body, we can control it and live longer.
Hypertension: Important facts
- Many people with high blood pressure often have no symptoms, ”even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.”
- A few people “may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren’t specific and usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.”
- Blood pressure should be checked ”at least every two years starting at age 18. If you’re age 40 or older, or you’re 18 to 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every year.”
- Common risk factors include age, family history, being overweight or obese, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, using too much salt in your food, drinking too much alcohol and high levels of stress.
