World Hypertension Day was created by the World Hypertension League in 2005 in an attempt to bring awareness to the condition. High blood pressure affects millions of people globally. It is vital to create awareness and educate the populace of its dangers, as well as informing them on how to effectively prevent and manage the condition.

High blood pressure is caused by a number of common lifestyle choices, especially when they overlap. This includes:

• Poor diet (excessive junk food and insufficient nutrition).
• Lack of exercise and a sedentary way of life.
• Frequent use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
• Diseases such as cancer, kidney disease.
• In some cases, pregnancy.

By making simple adjustments to our everyday habits we can combat this condition and abate its impact, and pave the way for a healthier lifestyle. Some useful tips to prevent high blood pressure include:

• Eating a well balanced diet.
• Limited consumption of caffeine and alcoholic beverages.
• Avoidance of the use of tobacco products and recreation drugs.
• Regular exercise.
• Checking your health regularly.
• Using medication as a management tool.
• Managing stress (e.g. breathing techniques and meditation).
• Getting enough sleep.

Blood pressure is checked with a gauge, stethoscope or electronic sensor and blood pressure cuff. With this equipment, the systolic pressure is measured, which is the blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart is resting between beats. In general, the ideal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, 120/80-140/90 mmHg is considered pre-hypertensive, and blood pressure is considered high when at or above 140/90 mmHg and dangerous if 180/110 mmHg is reached.

It is important to check ones blood pressure to make sure your lifestyle choices are in accordance with a healthy blood pressure.

References

Georgina Pujol-Busquets Guillén, 2017. All About Hypertension. https://thenoakesfoundation.org/news/blog/all-about-hypertension

Bhanpuri, N.H., Hallberg, S.J., Williams, P.T. et al. Cardiovascular disease risk factor responses to a type 2 diabetes care model including nutritional ketosis induced by sustained carbohydrate restriction at 1 year: an open label, non-randomized, controlled study. Cardiovasc Diabetol 17, 56 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-018-0698-8