World Health Day 2013 – Focus on high blood pressure
The theme for World Health Day in 2013 was high blood pressure, also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure and if left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregular heartbeat and heart failure.
High blood pressure is preventable, and can be countered by reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, taking regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco use.
On 7 April 2013, World Health Day, activities and campaigns throughout the world focused on the causes and consequences of high blood pressure.
