Overview:
The World Hypertension Day is globally celebrated each year on May 17th. This year's theme is «Know Your Numbers!», to raise awareness of the importance of measuring periodic blood pressure, and knowing its normal levels, when the heart beats, blood is pumped into the vessels. Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
Facts:
- High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as a systolic blood pressure equal to or above 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure equal to or above 90 mm Hg.
- Two out of five adults in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are affected by high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure is a leading cause of premature death worldwide.
- High blood pressure is called «silent killer», with no apparent symptoms.
- Unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of high blood pressure, such as: eating too much salt (sodium), being overweight and not getting enough exercise, as well as using tobacco.
- Hypertension affects more than 30% of the adult population worldwide, more than one billion people around the world.
- High blood pressure is the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and stroke, but also for chronic kidney disease, heart failure, arrhythmia and dementia.
- The burden of hypertension is felt disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries.
- Around half of people living with hypertension are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of avoidable medical complications and death.
Objectives:
- Raising awareness about the symptoms of hypertension.
- Encouraging blood pressure measurement.
- Knowing methods of early prevention of high blood pressure.
- Highlighting the prevalence of high blood pressure in society.
Official Date:
Globally: May 17th, 2021
Locally: Shawwal 16th, 1442H
Theme:
«Know Your Numbers!»
References: