World Hypertension day:Know your numbers

As the world marks the World Hypertension Day today May 17th,it is important that you know your blood pressure count so that you can remain safe and healthy.


Hypertension or high blood pressure is a silent killer,which you might be suffering from and not even know it.Hypertension is said to be affecting over a billion people worldwide and it is the most common cause of death among the young and old.

The World Health Organization defines hypertension or high or raised blood pressure as a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure.Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of the body in the vessels.Each time the heart beats,it pumps blood into the vessels.Blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels(arteries)as it is pumped by the heart.The higher the pressure,the harder the heart has to pump.

Hypertension is responsible for many underlying ailments like dementia,stroke,diabetes and maternal death in pregnancy.Your normal blood pressure should be 119/79 or lower,when your blood pressure reads 140/90 or higher,then this is definitely High Blood Pressure.

The theme for this year's World Hypertension Day is,'Know Your Numbers' and it is aimed at citizens worldwide to know their Blood Pressure count.Read here to know how too much salt intake might affect the body system and lead to hypertension.