World Health Day 2013
World Health Day - High Blood Pressure
World Health day is celebrated on the 7th April each year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation(WHO) in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world. This year the theme for World Health Day is high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. High blood pressure is the main cause of strokes and a major cause of heart attacks and heart failures, the most common causes of death and illness in the world. One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is both treatable and preventable. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by:
- Reducing salt intake
- Eating a balanced diet
- Avoiding harmful use of alcohol
- Taking regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Avoiding tobacco use
Do you know your numbers? Go to your GP, or local blood pressure station and get your blood pressure checked.
To read more about World Health Day please click here