World Hypertension Day observed to create awareness about this silent killer

Islamabad : World Hypertension Day was observed throughout the world including Pakistan on Thursday to create awareness in the public and to lay stress on prevention methods to avoid its harmful effects.

Observing the day is aimed at promoting public awareness about hypertension and to encourage citizens around the world to prevent and control this silent killer.

The theme for this year is ‘Know Your Numbers’ with a goal of creating awareness around the world about blood pressure.

Hypertension is a condition called high blood pressure during which the arterial blood pressure raises to high level from the normal level (120/80 mmHg).

It is medical condition called as silent killer as it does not show any clear symptoms however severe hypertension show some symptoms of headaches, sleepiness, palpitation, blurred vision, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, ringing sensation in the ears, breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat which may lead to even coma.

It is divided in two types (primary or essential hypertension and secondary hypertension) on the basis of its causing factors.

The primary hypertension is more common type however its causes are unknown.

Whereas, causes of secondary hypertension are kidney damage, adrenal gland over-activity, sleep apnea syndrome, tumours, recreational drugs, thyroid gland dysfunctional, aortic coarctation, pregnancy-related conditions, over or wrong medications, alcoholic drinks, bad food and etc.

Celebrating World Hypertension Day all over the world was established and started by The World Hypertension League (WHL).

WHL is a health organisation lead around 85 national hypertension societies and associations worldwide.

It had started the campaign of hypertension day to increase the common public awareness about the hypertension. It aimed to fill the gap of the lack of appropriate knowledge among people about the hypertension and people suffering of it.

WHL had launched the campaign of World Hypertension Day first time on 14th of May in 2005 however it was started celebrating dedicatedly every year on 17th of May since 2006. World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually since 2005 to distribute the message of maintenance of normal blood pressure among common public.

High Blood Pressure means hypertension causes various complications in the body and may lead to the major risk to the heart, stroke, kidney disease, eye disorders, coma or even death.

Blood pressure can be measured at home or hospital using acceptable measuring device called BP apparatus.

Meeting of the medical professional expertise and advisers were also held for highlighting the common problems of hypertension on national and international level, discussing the new and most easy preventive and control measures for the people with hypertension.