The No. 1 Contributing Risk Factor

for global health is raised blood pressure - causing strokes, attacks, and other cardiovascular complications.

10 MILLION

lives are lost each year needlessly due to elevated blood pressure

ONLY HALF

of people with high blood pressure know it

These deaths are PREVENTABLE……….And that’s the real tragedy

WE WANT TO CHANGE THIS NOW!

Hypertension Awareness Month is observed every May by virtue of Proclamation No. 1761 signed on May 1, 2009, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The theme for National Hypertension Awareness month is Know Your Numbers with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world.

Stroke and High Blood Pressure are two very common health-related conditions we here about in the news and in advertisements galore. Why is there so much focus on Stroke and High Blood Pressure?  Because CVD is the top leading cause of mortality in the Philippines with high blood pressure as the leading cause of stroke. Additionally, a stroke happens every 40 seconds and every 4 minutes someone dies from a stroke while 80% of all strokes can actually be prevented.

The month of May is set aside to raise awareness about Stroke and High Blood Pressure so that Filipinos become more educated and can identify warning signs.  It is important to understand the risk factors and signs and symptoms in order to seek medical attention right away.

CRHRDC is one with the International Society of Hypertension and the Department of Health in celebrating the national hypertension awareness month to raise consciousness and to encourage citizens of all countries to counter this modern epidemic.

Let us help one another, hand and hand, to put the spotlight on increasing access to blood pressure screening as potentially the most effective way to reduce hypertension’s adverse toll on health.