The World Health Organisation (WHO) annually observes World Hypertension Day (WHD) on 17 May to raise awareness about hypertension (high Blood Pressure, BP), a leading cause of preventable deaths globally.
- WHD emphasises the serious medical complications of hypertension and provides guidance on prevention, detection, and management.
- The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of WHD
Theme:
The theme for WHD 2025 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”, highlights the need for precise monitoring and effective management to improve health outcomes.
Background:
i.In 2005, WHD was initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL), a Non-Profit Organization(NPO) focused on the global prevention and control of hypertension.
ii.The first WHD was celebrated on 14th May 2005. Since 2006, May 17 has been marked every year as WHD.
What is Hypertension?
i.Hypertension is often termed the “silent killer” due to its asymptomatic nature, leading many individuals to remain unaware of their condition until severe health issues arise.
ii.Mechanism: Blood pumped by the heart exerts pressure on the walls of the arteries; when this pressure increases, the heart is forced to work harder to maintain circulation.
iii.Hypertension, or high BP, refers to a condition in which the BP consistently exceeds 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), placing extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
iv.If left uncontrolled, it can lead to severe complications including: Heart attacks & strokes, Heart failure, Kidney damage, Aneurysms & Cognitive decline and dementia.
Causes of Hypertension:
i.Common risk factors include a Sedentary lifestyle, Unhealthy diet (especially high salt intake), Obesity, Smoking and alcohol use, Chronic stress, Family history of hypertension and ageing.
ii.Hypertension can be classified into two types:
- Primary (Essential) Hypertension – Develops gradually over time with no identifiable cause.
- Secondary Hypertension – Caused by underlying conditions like kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or side effects from certain medications.
Key Facts:
i.Among adults with hypertension, 50% are unaware of their condition, and nearly 1 in 6 do not have their blood pressure under control.
ii.The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) has prioritized the prevention and control of hypertension through the SEAHEARTS initiative—“Accelerating Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases in the South-East Asia Region”—endorsed by the Seventy-sixth Regional Committee in 2023.
iii.It is estimated that more than 294 million people live with hypertension in the SEAR, with over 24 million individuals receiving treatment within public health facilities.
iv.Hypertension affects an estimated 1.28 billion adults globally, with many unaware of their condition. This leads to an estimated 10.8 million deaths annually, making it a major cause of premature mortality worldwide.
WHL 2025 Excellence Award:
i.On WHD 2025, the WHL recognized the WHL 2025 Excellence Award Winners for their outstanding contributions to global hypertension prevention, research, and control.
ii.In 2025, key individual and organizational awards recognizing outstanding contributions to hypertension research and population control were announced.
iii. Indian Recognitions :Prof. (Dr.) Dorairaj Prabhakaran has been honored with the Daniel Lackland Excellence Award by the World Hypertension League (WHL) for his Collaboration and Advocacy for Population Hypertension Risk Reduction.
- Dr. D.Prabhakaran serves as the Executive Director(ED) of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) in New Delhi, Delhi.
- He is also a Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in London, England and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Visiting Scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health in Massachusetts, the United States of America(USA).
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director General (DG) – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1948
