May 17th is World Hypertension Day
May 17th will mark the eighth World Hypertension Day (WHD) for the eighth time since its inception in 2005.
World Hypertension Day was inaugurated by the World Hypertension League (WHL), a division of the International Society of Hypertension in 2005 to raises awareness about high blood pressure around the world.
The theme for 2012 WHD is ‘Healthy Lifestyle - Healthy Blood Pressure’.
The WHL works closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) which has pledged by 2025 to reduce:
- Mortality due to non communicable diseases by 25%
- Hypertension by 25%
- Dietary salt intake by 30% towards a goal of 5 g/day
- Tobacco by 30%
- Physical inactivity by 10%
The WHL and its member leagues/societies are committed to help the World Health Organisation realise its ambitious goals.
The BPA is spearheading a low salt campaign across the UK bringing the hypertension message home to Britain and beyond.
Our continued and combined efforts at national, regional, local and international levels will increase public awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in managing it.
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Notes to Editors:
- For further information, please contact Claire McLoughlin at the Blood Pressure Association’s Press Office on 0208 772 4992 or email bpacomms@yahoo.co.uk
- The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity, providing information and support to people with high blood pressure and raising awareness about the prevention of the condition. For more information visit www.bpassoc.org.uk or call 020 8772 4994.