World Hypertension Day: Non-communicable diseases programme Officer calls for regular BP check
Health
By UCHE MARTINS
World Hypertension Day is a global awareness day held on May 17th every year.
It is organized by the World Hypertension League (WHL), which is an umbrella organization comprising 85 national hypertension societies and leagues.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher).
The risk factors to hypertension could be older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high-salt diet and drinking too much alcohol.
The preventive measures could be
Lifestyle changes like eating a healthier diet, quiting tobacco and being more active. Some people may still need to take medicines.
Speaking on the Objective of World Hypertension Day, Mrs Egoh Adaku, the Non Communicable Disease, Coordinator in Anambra State said Hypertension Day is to raise awareness about hypertension, its causes, prevention, and management.
The day is also used to promote public awareness and encourage people to get their blood pressure checked.
According to her, the theme for World Hypertension Day 2024 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.” focuses on the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement and the need to control hypertension to prevent its complications.
Speaking on the importance of the day, Mrs Egoh said Hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide, and it is estimated that over 1 billion people suffer from hypertension.
She noted that It is a silent killer, and many people are unaware that they have hypertension until they come down with complications or death.
This she noted is why the World Hypertension Day is important because it helps to raise awareness about hypertension, its causes, and its prevention.
The NCDs Program Officer therefore maintained that the event is a call to action for individuals, healthcare professionals, and governments to work together to prevent and control hypertension by organizing various activities on this day, which can help to reduce the burden of hypertension and promote a healthier society.
