World Hypertension Day
World Hypertension Day is observed on May 17 every year to raise awareness about hypertension, the risks, and the importance of prevention and control.
World Hypertension Day (WHD) was started by the World Hypertension League (WHL), a group that brings together 85 national hypertension societies and leagues.
It was created to raise awareness about high blood pressure, especially since many people with the condition don’t have enough information about it.
The first WHD was held on May 14, 2005, but since 2006, it has been observed every year on May 17.
Each year, World Hypertension Day is celebrated with a theme and the theme for 2025 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!”
Key objectives of WHD include:
- Educating the public about blood pressure levels and risks.
- Encouraging routine blood pressure monitoring.
- Promoting healthy lifestyle choices to prevent hypertension.
- Urging policymakers to implement better healthcare strategies.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls remains consistently high. It is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it usually has no noticeable symptoms but can lead to severe health issues if left untreated. The condition is typically classified into:
- Primary Hypertension: The most common type, with no identifiable cause, but linked to genetics, lifestyle, and age.
- Secondary Hypertension: Results from underlying conditions such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or medication side effects.
History of Hypertension
The history of high blood pressure or hypertensions started with early studies about how blood flows throughout the body.
A doctor named William Harvey explained the circulation of blood in the 1600s and in 1733, Stephen Hales, an English clergyman measured blood pressure for the first time.
Doctors started noticing a relationship between high blood pressure and diseases especially the ones affecting the kidneys and the heart.
Richard Bright researched heart problems and kidney disease in 1836 which invented the term “Bright's disease”.
Other doctors, like George Johnson and Ludwig Traube, believed that high blood pressure could be the cause of these changes in the body. However, it wasn’t until 1874 that Frederick Akbar Mahomed discovered high blood pressure in people without kidney disease.
The real breakthrough came in 1896 when Scipione Riva-Rocci invented the sphygmomanometer, the cuff device we still use today to measure blood pressure.
In 1905, Nikolai Korotkoff improved the method by identifying the sounds doctors listen for when measuring blood pressure.
By 1981, Donald Nunn created an automated version, making it easier to track blood pressure over time.
In 1911, a doctor named Eberhard Frank introduced the term “essential hypertension” to describe high blood pressure with no clear cause.
In 1928, Mayo Clinic doctors used the term “malignant hypertension” for dangerously high blood pressure that often led to fatal complications.
Even though severe hypertension was recognized as dangerous, many doctors in the early 1900s believed mild high blood pressure was harmless and shouldn’t be treated.
This belief changed in the 1950s and 60s when studies like the Framingham Heart Study showed that even mild hypertension increased the risk of heart disease, strokes, and early death.
More research also found that African Americans were more affected by high blood pressure and its complications.
These findings led to greater awareness and better treatments, shaping how we manage hypertension today.
Observing World Hypertension Day
Start by checking your blood pressure and your loved ones too. Make sure to read on it and start developing healthy habits.
Take a moment to educate yourself and others about the importance of maintaining normal blood pressure through a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and limiting alcohol and tobacco.
Small steps can make a big difference in preventing hypertension-related complications.
