World Hypertension Day is a global health awareness day that is celebrated on May 17th every year. The purpose of World Hypertension Day is to raise awareness of hypertension and its risks, and to encourage people to take steps to control their blood pressure.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. This can damage your arteries and lead to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.
If you have not had your blood pressure checked recently, make an appointment with your doctor today. Controlling your blood pressure is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. This can damage your arteries and lead to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.
Normal blood pressure is considered to be below 120/80 mmHg. If your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg, you have hypertension.
There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing hypertension, including:
- Age
- Family history of hypertension
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Diet high in sodium
- Lack of physical activity
- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease
Symptoms of Hypertension
Most people with hypertension do not experience any symptoms. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, even if you feel well.
If you do experience symptoms of hypertension, they may include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Nosebleeds
- Vision changes
Treatment for Hypertension
There is no cure for hypertension, but it can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.
Medications:
If your blood pressure is high, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you control it. There are a number of different types of medications that can be used to treat hypertension.
Lifestyle changes:
There are a number of lifestyle changes that can help you control your blood pressure, including:
- Losing weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing your sodium intake
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting your alcohol intake
- Managing stress
Preventing Hypertension
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent hypertension, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting your alcohol intake
- Managing stress
- Getting regular medical checkups
Statistic | Description |
---|---|
Number of people with hypertension | 1.28 billion people worldwide have hypertension |
Number of deaths caused by hypertension | 10.4 million deaths worldwide are caused by hypertension |
Percentage of adults with hypertension | 36% of adults worldwide have hypertension |
Percentage of adults with hypertension who have their blood pressure under control | 53% of adults with hypertension have their blood pressure under control |
Increase in the number of people with hypertension | The number of people with hypertension is expected to increase to 1.5 billion by 2025 |
Cost of hypertension | The cost of hypertension is estimated to be $1.1 trillion worldwide |
Conclusion
Hypertension is a serious condition that can lead to a number of health problems. However, it is a condition that can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes. If you have hypertension, it is important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
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