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World Hypertension Day (WHD) is dedicated on 17th MAY every year. It’s initiated by World Hypertension League (WHL) and first launched on 2005 in order to increase the awareness of high blood pressure. This was especially important because of the lack of appropriate knowledge among hypertensive patients. The theme for WHD 2010 is “Healthy Weight – Healthy Blood Pressure”.

High blood pressure is the biggest single cause of death worldwide through strokes, heart attacks and kidney diseases. Hypertension has been on the rise in Malaysia over the past 10 years and now affects an estimated 4.8 million Malaysians. About 43% of Malaysians over the age of 30 suffer from the chronic disease, an increase from the 33% recorded in 1996.

Normally a healthy people have a good blood pressure of less than or equal to 120/80 mmHg. You may have high blood pressure if it is more than: 140/90 mmHg (when measured in a clinic), 135/85 mmHg (when measured at home) or 130/80 mmHg (if you have diabetes or kidney disease). In order to achieve a healthy lifestyle of lower high blood pressure, you may follow a few guides as the following:

1. Be physically active. Try walking, biking, or swimming for 30 to 60 minutes on most days.
2. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, lowfat dairy and foods low in fat. Avoid fast foods.
3. Eat less salt in your diet.
4. If you drink, do not have more than two alcoholic drinks each day.
5. Keep your body weight within a healthy range.
6. Quit smoking. Lifestyle change can be as effective as drugs in some cases.

You may get more details of hypertension at HERE.