17 May is World Hypertension Day – check your blood pressure
This is an exciting time of the year for us! May is a month with lots of public activities marking World Hypertension Day and May Measure Month (being marked from 1st May to 31st July 2023). The purpose of this activity is to highlight the importance of better prevention, detection and treatment of high blood pressure.
This year, the theme of World Hypertension Day is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer, focusing on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods.
Background information on high blood pressure (hypertension)
Hypertension is a long-term condition where blood pressure is increased. It is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting more than 1.4 billion people and accounting for more than 28,000 deaths each day. Initially, it does not cause any symptoms but if left untreated it can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, vision loss, and dementia. Control of high blood pressure can help protect against these conditions and there are many steps that can be taken to help lower blood pressure.
