April 7 is celebrated as World Health Day. The theme for this year is Hypertension that is high blood pressure. Its global brief is here.
Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, strokes and kidney failure. Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure equal to or above 140 mm HG and diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg.
The leading risk factor for global disease burden is high blood pressure. This has been validated in this Lancet publication also.
Hypertension is a leading non communicable disease. It affects people across socioeconomic class. Developed and developing nations-all suffer from this. The African nation has the highest number of adults older than 25 years suffering from hypertension. India, China will also lead this epidemic with increasing elderly population.
Society collectively needs to aim at preventing itself from the ills of hypertension.
The following measures need to be considered.
1. Reduction in salt intake.
2. Avoid smoking and those who smoke need to quit.
3.Creating a culture for physical activity. Providing incentives for outcomes of physical activity.
4. Avoiding harmful use of alcohol.
5. Poor Sleep
Hypertension is asymptomatic in early stages. It is insidious and has ice berg phenomenon. Routine blood pressure check up can give an early diagnosis to hypertension and pre-hypertension stage. Life style modifications and preventive measures will keep one away from this disease and its complications.
Let us all fight Hypertension.
Intend to do a free blood pressure check up in two places on Sunday. Will post about it.
References:
1. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(13)60780-1/fulltext?elsca1=ETOC-LANCET&elsca2=email&elsca3=E24A35F
2. http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/publications/global_brief_hypertension/en/
3. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)61766-8/fulltext
4. http://www.who.int/world-health-day/en/
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