According to the United Nations calendar for International days and weeks, World Hypertension Day is observed on May 17th every year.
The day is dedicated to highlighting the need for blood pressure monitoring and raising global awareness of people who suffer from high blood pressure.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer.”
Many Twitter users on Tuesday flooded the social media space with comments about the need to create more awareness.
This article will educate you on the most common aspects of hypertension. Here are seven things you should know.
What is hypertension
According to the World Health Organisation, hypertension can also be referred to as high blood pressure. This occurs when circulating blood exerts force against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body.
Basically, hypertension, which is preventable, is when blood pressure is too high. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension and two-thirds of the number live in low- and middle-income countries.
Children are also susceptible to hypertension. The Cleveland Clinic reports that about 3.5 percent of U.S. children aged 18 and under have hypertension.
What causes hypertension
Knowing what causes blood pressure is essential because the WHO says an estimated 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.
Factors that cause hypertension are grouped into two, and they are modifiable risk factors and non-modifiable risk factors.
Unhealthy diets such as excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight fall under the modifiable risk factors.
Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years, and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Symptoms
Early morning headaches, nosebleeds, abnormal heart rhythms, vision changes, and ringing in the ears are all symptoms of hypertension. Severe hypertension, according to the WHO, can result in fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors. The best approach to establish whether or not someone has hypertension is to have their blood pressure measured by a health expert.
How to prevent hypertension
According to the WHO, one should limit salt intake (to fewer than 5 grammes per day), eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid tobacco, and limit alcohol use. It is recommended that people engage in regular physical activity and restrict their consumption of foods high in saturated fats.
What happens after catching hypertension
Hypertension is treatable. Stress should be reduced and managed to avoid life loss. Check your blood pressure on a regular basis and keep track of any other medical issues.
Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide, WHO says.
This is because hypertension raises the chance of developing heart, brain, kidney, and other problems
Less than half of adults (42%) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated and approximately 1 in 5 adults (21%) with hypertension have it under control.
The WHO and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016 launched the Global Hearts Initiative. This initiative is to see to it that the prevalence of hypertension is reduced by 25% by 2025.
To achieve the global target to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025, WHO and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the Global Hearts Initiative in 2016.
Source: The Independent Ghana
