Islamabad (Web Desk): World Hypertension Day is being observed across the globe including Pakistan today (Friday).
The theme of this year's day is 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer'.
High blood pressure is a silent killer, with one in three people worldwide suffering from hypertension.
Hypertension is becoming dangerous in Pakistan as well while 44% of the population of Pakistan is suffering from high blood pressure.
According to a report by World Health Organization (WHO), about 32 million people in Pakistan are suffering from high blood pressure.
Medical experts say that most of the patients in Pakistan are unaware of this disease which may cause other dangerous diseases.
Medical expert Dr Muzamil says that the blood pressure of healthy people should be up to 120/80, as a constant level of 140/90 is considered high blood pressure.
He recommended that regular exercise and a balanced diet are necessary to keep the blood pressure normal whereas the amount of salt should be kept very low.
Medical experts say that high blood pressure is a rapidly growing disease that is not only common in people above the age of 45 but is also affecting young people.
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure rises to an unhealthy level of 140/90.
It is considered to have touched a dangerous level when the blood pressure measurement goes over 180/120.
Hypertension is a major cause of chronic kidney disease, stroke and heart failure. High-stress levels, obesity, poor dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle are major causes of hypertension.
The World Hypertension League (WHL) established World Hypertension Day in an effort to increase public awareness of hypertension. The World Hypertension League sponsored the inaugural World Hypertension Day on May 14, 2005. May 17 has been recognized as World Hypertension Day annually since 2006.
The day aims to raise public awareness of high blood pressure, a leading cause of death that affects more than one billion people worldwide and claims 7.5 million lives each year.