World Hypertension Day – 17th May
World Hypertension Day is initiated to promote public awareness of hypertension. The day is dedicated to the prevention and control of hypertension globally, a silent killer, and a leading risk factor for death and disability globally.
This day was given importance to encourage citizens to focus on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and to give appropriate knowledge among hypertensive patients.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major threat to health globally, “the number one killer” according to the World Health Organization (WHO), afflicting more than 1 billion people.
World Hypertension Day was launched in 2005 with a simple theme ‘Awareness of high blood pressure.’
The theme of 2006 was ‘Treat to goal’
2007 theme was ‘Healthy diet, healthy blood pressure.’
2008 theme was ‘Measure your blood pressure…at home’.
The theme for five years 2013-2019 was ‘Know Your Numbers’.
2020 – 2023 theme is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer’.
International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and World Hypertension League (WHL) is formed who is committed to promoting and encouraging the advancement of scientific research and knowledge and its application to the prevention and management of heart disease and stroke in hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases around the world.
The WHL would like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in May Measurement Month. The volunteer manned screening sites will be set up in a range of venues around the world to check the blood pressure of as many people as possible. You may find more information at www.whleague.org.
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