World hypertension day : 17th May 2022

Dr Kshetrimayum Kala Singh
“Measure your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control it, Live longer”. Hypertension is a silent killer
One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure.
Every year 17th May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD). This is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL), an umbrella organization of 85 National hypertension societies and leagues.
The world hypertension Day was 1st inaugurated in May 2005 by the World Hypertension League and has become an annual event ever since. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic. In other words, World Hypertension Day has been established to highlight the preventable stroke, heart and kidney disease caused by high blood pressure and to communicate to the public information on prevention, detection and treatment.
The world hypertension league recognizes that more than 50% of the hypertensive population worldwide are unaware of their condition. So for awareness of hypertension, we must do different activities such as newspaper & media coverage, rallies, public forums & mass public physical activities, as involvement of politicians, policy makers, popular public figures, NGOs and clubs etc.
The theme for this year is "Measure your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control it, Live longer.”
Each and everybody must know the degree of the blood pressure in their body. Special precautions to be given to those officers who are in sedentary jobs with high tension. Regular blood pressure should be checked every month in the old age group. Pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients should know the signs and symptoms of hypertension in their life time for avoiding unwanted complications. If the blood presure is high control it and try to avoid its complication for living a longer life.
Heart attack due to high B.P.
HEALTHY BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure is merely the pressure that the blood exerts on the blood vessels while circulating. It is measured with an instrument called Sphygmomanometer. The average blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If it is 120-139/80-89 mmHg, it is pre-hypertension. When it reaches 140/90 mmHg, it is called Stage I Hypertension. Healthy blood pressure in an adult means having normal blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg without causing any discomfort to our body. Healthy blood pressure will help to maintain a healthy heart rhythm.
There are two types of hypertension, Essential (Primary) & Secondary. The exact etiology of primary is unknown and there are definitely causes in secondary hypertension. Many factors are responsible for the primary cause. They are-
a) Hereditary-Most experts believe that hereditary does play a role in causing high blood pressure.
b) Excess intake of salt -That an excessive intake of common salt (Sodium Chloride) elevates the blood pressure is indisputable.
c) Mental tension and approach -All researchers accept the role of mental tension and negative thinking in the development of blood pressure.
d) Obesity (Excessive Weight) -The incidence of high blood pressure is 2.5 times more in obese than in normal persons.
e) Sedentary life-The incidence of high blood pressure is much higher in sedentary persons than those who lead an active life.
f) Smoking-The incidence of high blood pressure has been found to be higher in smokers. Smokers more often fall victims to atherosclerosis, heart attack and cerebral hemorrhages.
g) Alcohol consumption-The incidence of high blood pressure in drinking is higher than that in non-drinkers. (To be contd)