World Day Against Hypertension

17 May - World Day Against Hypertension

Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Every third adult in Ukraine has high blood pressure - arterial hypertension (hypertension). High blood pressure increases the risk of developing a cerebral stroke, myocardial infarction, heart or kidney failure, and visual impairment. Globally, high blood pressure causes about 7.5 million deaths each year.

Why don't people know they are ill?

Statistics show that more than 45 per cent of people with high blood pressure do not know they have high blood pressure. Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if their blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels. However, some people may experience headaches, tinnitus, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds when their blood pressure rises. However, these signs and symptoms are not specific and usually do not appear until the pressure reaches severe or life-threatening levels. The only way to detect hypertension is to have your blood pressure measured.

How to measure pressure correctly?

Regular blood pressure measurement will help to detect health problems at an early stage, consult a doctor in time and avoid undesirable consequences. For a healthy adult, the optimal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. When measuring blood pressure at home, the reason to visit a doctor for the diagnosis of hypertension is 135/85 mmHg and above. When taking your blood pressure, follow these rules:

• Do this in a calm state after 5 minutes of rest, in a sitting position and leaning on the back of a chair, with your feet on the floor.
• Use an appropriately sized cuff for measurement, which should be placed on the shoulder at the level of the heart, 2-3 cm above the elbow, with the arm resting freely on the table.
• Measure the pressure at least twice with an interval of up to 2 minutes, the average result will be the indicator.

What is the main thing in the prevention of hypertension?

Healthy eating habits and lifestyle in general can help prevent hypertension:

• Maintaining a healthy diet with a low salt content (no more than 5 grams per day);
• weight loss if you are overweight or obese;
• physical activity (walking, running, swimming, dancing or exercises to increase muscle strength);
• quitting tobacco;
• timely visits to the doctor.

Hypertension should be treated only under medical supervision. Modern methods of diagnosis and treatment make it possible to successfully control the condition of patients with hypertension and reduce the risk of developing various serious complications.

The government's Affordable Medicines programme enables every Ukrainian citizen who has signed a declaration with a family doctor to receive free or low-cost medicines for the treatment of hypertension.

Be conscious and responsible for your health - regularly monitor your blood pressure and follow the prescribed treatment.

https://phc.org.ua/kontrol-zakhvoryuvan/neinfekciyni-zakhvoryuvannya/sercevo-sudinni-zakhvoryuvannya/arterialna-gipertenziya https://moz.gov.ua/article/health/jak-pravilno-vimirjuvati-tisk-i-koli-zvertatis-do-likarja