Last Updated on 14 May 2023, 5:40 PM IST | World Hypertension Day 2023| Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure that can lead to serious health issues such as strokes, heart attacks, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and vision loss. So to spread awareness all around the world, every year, on the 17th of May, World Hypertension Day is observed. On the occurrence of World Hypertension Day 2023, we have brought you some necessary information, such as symptoms of hypertension and the history, theme, and significance of this day. Our Real Savior is Almighty God Kabir who can protect us from deadly diseases and untimely death.

World Hypertension Day 2023: Highlights 

• Since 2006, World Hypertension Day (WHD) has been observed on 17th May.
• WHD was first observed on the 14th of May 2005.
• WHD 2023 theme is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.’
• A study shows that hypertensive patients are more vulnerable to Covid-19.
• Sat-bhakti is the only available vaccine for all sorts of diseases and is a permanent cure for hypertension.

History & Significance of World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day was first observed on the 14th of May 2005. Since 2006, the day has been observed on 17th May. This day came into existence to initiate the awareness of hypertension as people don’t have proper knowledge regarding this disorder. World Hypertension Day was started by the World Hypertension League (WHL).

WHL is an umbrella to eighty-five organizations of national hypertension leagues and societies. The day commenced by increasing the awareness of hypertension. This was particularly essential because of the lack of proper knowledge among hypertensive patients. 

In 2005, as the inaugural action, the theme was simply ‘Awareness of high blood pressure.’ The 2006 theme was ‘Treat to the goal’, with a focus on keeping blood pressure under control. The advised blood pressures are less than 140/90 mmHg for the hypertensive population without any other disorder. It is the same for those who don’t have hypertension. Less than 130/80 mmHg for those with chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus. These are the cut-off values approved by Canadian and International guidelines. 

■ Also Read | Know How to Keep Heart Healthy on World Heart Day

The 2007 WHD theme was ‘Healthy diet, healthy blood pressure.’ Through such particular themes, the WHL aims to raise awareness not only of hypertension but also of aspects supporting an upswing in the incidence of hypertension and on directions to suppress it. For public awareness, the theme for 2008 was ‘Measure your blood pressure at home.’ New reports confirm the accuracy, ease, and safety of blood pressure measurements using home monitors. For the five years from 2013 to 2018, ‘Know Your Numbers’ was the WHD theme to increase awareness about high blood pressure in all communities around the globe.

World Hypertension Day 2023 Theme

This year, 2023, the World Hypertension Day theme is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer” focusing on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods.

This is the theme which has been continued since 2021. The theme’s longevity is enough to emphasize the necessity of an accurate diagnosis of hypertension.

Initiative taken by PAHO & WHO to Prevent Hypertension 

To promote awareness of hypertension, Pan American Health Organization started a free online course on accurate automated blood pressure (BP) measurement to check BP monitor accuracy in 16 languages.

To achieve the global target to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025, WHO and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the Global Hearts Initiative in 2016. With its five technical packages – HEARTS (manage cardiovascular diseases), MPOWER (control tobacco), Active (increase physical activity), SHAKE (reduce salt consumption) and REPLACE (eliminate trans fat) – the Initiative aims to improve heart health worldwide. The HEARTS technical package itself gives guidance on more effectively detecting and treating people with hypertension in primary health care.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure that can lead to serious health issues such as strokes, heart attacks, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and vision loss. Those who suffer from hypertension are commonly not familiar with their condition because there are no specific symptoms to recognize in the early stages of this disease. Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease which is also known as Silent Killer due to its unknown symptoms.

World Hypertension Day 2023 | Signs & Symptoms of Hypertension

There are no particular symptoms until one’s organs are severely affected, but here are some common signs and symptoms that can be used as a sign of warning:

• Blurred Vision
• Severe Headache
• Fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Nose Bleeding 
• Nausea
• Irregular pulse rate
• Buzzing ears

Causes of Hypertension

Some reasons for hypertension are taking too much salt, no exercise,  mental pressure, anxiety, tensions, consuming alcohol or caffeine, smoking, being overweight, lack of sleep etc. Hypertension is sometimes linked to heredity. Every year Hypertension causes many deaths due to lack of awareness about it. Hypertension should be taken as seriously and one should not delay in medical counselling as one observes any kind of symptoms.

Facts about World Hypertension Day 

• Only one in 4 adults struggling with hypertension has controlled blood pressure.
• Men have higher blood pressure in comparison to women
• One in every 4 people aged 22 to 44 is dealing with the problem of hypertension.
• Hypertension may linked to dementia.

World Hypertension Day Quotes 2023

• “People with high blood pressure, diabetes – those are conditions brought about by life style. If you change the life style, those conditions will leave.” — Dick Gregory
• “A systemic cleansing and detox is definitely the way to go after each holiday. It is the key to fighting high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and other health-related illnesses.” — Lee Haney
• “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit.” — B.K.S. Iyengar

FAQ about World Hypertension Day

Importance Amid Covid-19 

A growing body of research indicates that some people with diabetes, hypertension and heart disease may generate more serious complications and severe symptoms once infected with the coronavirus. The Covid-19 outbreak is also contributing to an increased preponderance of hypertension within all age groups. This is occurring due to lack of outdoor exercise due to frequent lockdowns, intensified stress levels, as well as unhealthy dietary patterns.

Emphasizing the importance of controlling and managing high blood pressure during the coronavirus outbreak, Dr. Santosh Kumar Dora, Senior Cardiologist at Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai said, “Blood pressure needs to be reviewed at regular intervals. If found increased, it should be treated immediately and actions should be made to retain it within the normal range.”

How to Prevent Hypertension?

Hypertension is a severe disorder and can be found in many people. There are many preventive measures suggested by medical science but they’re subjective to work, hence will not work for everyone every time. Only one known working preventive measure for hypertension or any other disease is the refuge of an enlightened Saint. An enlightened Saint who is showing the true way of worship of Almighty God Kabir according to the holy scriptures of all the religions. The sadbhakti will lead to unlocking the chakras in the human body which ultimately makes the power of the universe in favour of the one who is doing sadbhakti as guided by the enlightened saint. 

Guaranteed Cure for Hypertension

Everyone must take Initiation (Naam Diksha) from Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj. Because presently, He is the only enlightened Saint in the entire world. He is the Incarnation of Supreme God Kabir Himself. After taking the refuge, one must perform Sat-Bhakti or true worship. With the power of Sat-Bhakti, a cure for any deadly disease is guaranteed, if one binds to the rules of the enlightened Saint. For more information on sadbhakti and Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj, one can download Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj App from the google play store.