Health

World Hypertension Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Hypertension

World Hypertension Day is observed annually on May 17 to promote hypertension awareness and prevention, detection, and management. Over 30% of the world’s adult population is affected by hypertension, which affects over one billion individuals worldwide. It is the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery disease and stroke. In addition, high blood pressure is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease, cardiac failure, arrhythmias, and dementia. Sharing information about this condition is therefore essential.

The background of World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension League (W.H.L.) initiated World Hypertension Day. W.H.L. is an international non-profit organisation founded on January 4, 1984, whose mission is to prevent and control hypertension at the population level. The first World Hypertension Day was observed on May 14, 2005. Since 2006, World Health Organisation has observed May 17 as World Hypertension Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of hypertension due to the dearth of appropriate knowledge among hypertensive patients.

Hypertension, also known as excessive blood pressure, is a medical condition characterised by persistently elevated blood pressure in the blood vessels. When your heart circulates more blood and your blood vessels become narrower, your blood pressure rises. In most cases, high blood pressure is asymptomatic, but long-term hypertension can lead to coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, cardiac failure, arrhythmias, and dementia. Due to the absence of symptoms, you must undergo a screening to determine your blood pressure.

Primary (essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension are the two forms of hypertension. Primary hypertension has no identifiable cause, but secondary hypertension does, including obstructive sleep apnea, renal disease, and certain medications such as birth control pills and certain prescription drugs. For the primary prevention of hypertension, adults should maintain a healthy body weight, engage in regular aerobic physical activity, such as vigorous walking, reduce their sodium intake, consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and limit their alcohol consumption.

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