World Hypertension Day is celebrated every year on 17th of May to raise the public awareness about the hypertension, its preventive measures and complications. It was first celebrated on 14th of May in the year 2005 organized by the World Hypertension League (WHL).
World Hypertension Day 2019 was celebrated by the people all through the world on 17th of May, Friday.
World Hypertension Day 2019 theme was “Know Your Numbers” aimed at raising awareness regarding high blood pressure.
University of Cumbria organized a free checkup camp on the occasion with an aim of raising awareness on high blood pressure and saving lives of the people suffering from hypertension.
International Society of Hypertension (ISH) organised May Measurement Month (MMM) this year also which is an awareness campaign aimed at educating people to know their blood pressure numbers and to take preventive measures in case of hypertension.
Merck Foundation observed the day by building a hypertension care facility in Africa and Asia and also by giving ‘Merck Hypertension Award’. The award will provide an opportunity to the winners to study Post Graduate Diploma in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine at University of Wales.
Various hospitals and healthcare institutions observed the day by organizing free screening camps in their premises and at nearby locations. The camps helped people to know more about hypertension and the preventive measures to fight it.
Hypertension is a condition called high blood pressure during which the arterial blood pressure raises to high level from the normal level (120/80 mmHg). It is medical condition called as silent killer as it does not show any clear symptoms however severe hypertension show some symptoms of headaches, sleepiness, palpitation, blurred vision, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, ringing sensation in the ears, breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat which may lead to even coma.
It is divided in two types (primary or essential hypertension and secondary hypertension) on the basis of its causing factors. The primary hypertension is more common type however its causes are unknown. Whereas, causes of secondary hypertension are kidney damage, adrenal gland over-activity, sleep apnea syndrome, tumors, recreational drugs, thyroid gland dysfunctioning, aortic coarctation, pregnancy-related conditions, over or wrong medications, alcoholic drinks, bad food and etc.
It is also an inheritable disease which can be inherited to children from parents having hypertension or family history of diabetes, obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, excess alcohol drink, use of oral contraceptive pills and etc. Its complications are atherosclerosis means narrowing of arteries, brain hemorrhage means blood clot in brain (stroke), heart attack, aneurysm, kidney failure, heart failure, eye damage and etc.
It is easy to get prevented from the primary hypertension however secondary hypertension is severe condition which can be managed and cured if treated well. It needs to change some lifestyles and following healthy living habits (avoid smoking and alcohol, low sodium intake of 1.5 to 2.5 g, low-fat and high-fiber diet, fruits and green vegetables, proper physical exercise, aerobics, healthy weight, regular pulse and BP check, reduce stress, low bad cholesterol level, healthy family history and etc) to well treat the condition.
Celebrating World Hypertension Day all over the world was established and started by The World Hypertension League (WHL). WHL is a health organization lead around 85 national hypertension societies and associations worldwide. It had started the campaign of hypertension day to increase the common public awareness about the hypertension. It aimed to fill the gap of the lack of appropriate knowledge among people about the hypertension and people suffering of it. WHL had launched the campaign of World Hypertension Day first time on 14th of May in 2005 however it was started celebrating dedicatedly every year on 17th of May since 2006.
World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually since 2005 to distribute the message of maintenance of normal blood pressure among common public. High Blood Pressure means hypertension causes various complications in the body and may lead to the major risk to the heart, stroke, kidney disease, eye disorders, coma or even death. Blood pressure can be measured at home or hospital using acceptable measuring device called BP apparatus.
According to the statistics, it is noted that around 3 out of ten people are suffering from hypertension worldwide. Approximately 1.8 billion of the people globally are suffering from hypertension and the most surprise thing is 50% of them are totally unaware of their condition and some of them who are aware of their condition do not take any medical action for their blood pressure. Some of the objectives of celebrating this campaign on annual basis are mentioned below:
World Hypertension Day is dedicatedly celebrated every year on 17th of May since 2005 to raise the common public awareness about the hypertension through the variety of activities and events. Health professionals and medical professionals from the government and non-government organizations participate in the campaign celebration and support in organizing lots of events for easily understanding of the public.
Some of the activities which are getting organized on annual celebration of the campaign are public forum, debates on the subjects of high blood pressure, brisk walk or run activities, health screening, free blood pressure checkup camp, media write-up, banners and poster distribution in the schools, colleges and other educational institutions, discussions, quiz competitions in the schools and colleges, messages distribution through the TV and radio channels and lots of other activities.
Meeting of the medical professional expertise and advisers are held for highlighting the common problems of hypertension on national and international level, discussing the new and most easy preventive and control measures for the people with hypertension.
World Hypertension Day is celebrated every year using a particular theme of the year selected by the World Hypertension League to make the campaign more effective on international level. It has been recommended by the WHL that BP should be less than 140/90 mmHg for general population and hypertensive population without complications whereas for people with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease, it should be less than 130/80 mmHg. Some of the year wise themes are mentioned below: