Demystifying Hypertension.
Every year, 17 May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD) and the theme for 2021 is Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer. The main objective of the day is to educate the public and increase awareness on hypertension, also known as high blood pressure and to mobilise national and local
authorities to create enabling environments conducive to healthy behaviours. Blood pressure is the force that a person’s blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels and how hard the heart has to work. Hypertension occurs when blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Hypertension is the leading cause of mortality and disability all over the world and is at the top of the list among single risk factors accounting for cardiovascular disease deaths and second after smoking as a preventable
cause of death. The World Hypertension League states that 50% of the hypertensive population worldwide are unaware of their condition.
