World Hypertension Day is celebrated on 17 May every year to create awareness about hypertension and its symptoms. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the blood pressure rises to the level of 140/90.
World Hypertension Day 2022 Theme
This theme for World Hypertension Day 2022 is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer. The theme focuses to combat low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle-income areas with accurate blood pressure measurement methods.
World Hypertension Day Importance
Over a billion people suffer from hypertension globally. It is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Though hypertension is usually experienced by older people, it is now being seen in the younger population as well.
Hypertension is the risk factor for heart disease, stroke, renal complications, and premature death. Usually, high blood pressure alone does not cause any symptoms.
Fortunately, hypertension can be prevented and managed, by checking your blood pressure regularly, and through treatment.
World Hypertension Day History
World Hypertension Day was first inaugurated in May 2005, and ever since it has become an annual event. The main purpose behind the celebration 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.
What is Hypertension?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high.
Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.
Types of Hypertension
According to psychologists, there are two main types of hypertension disease:
- Primary hypertension
- Secondary hypertension