World Health Day: Epidemics of high blood pressure alarming

World Health Day is observed every year on April 7 in order to celebrate the foundation anniversary of WHO (World Health Organisation) in 1948 by United Nations (UN). World health day is celebrated with an objective to bring health awareness among the people across the world about various health related issues that are prevailing in every part of the globe.

Every year on the occasion of world health day, a specific theme is selected depending upon the priority are of public health and World Health Day 2013 theme is high blood pressure. WHO is continuously involved in enhancing the awareness of people about the prevention and cure of high blood pressure and in World health day 2013, the major focus has been laid on the same, which includes:

• To raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure
• To provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure and related complications;
• To encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals;
• To encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure;
• To make blood pressure measurement affordable to all; and
• To incite national and local authorities to create enabling environments for healthy behaviours.

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a major health concern in present scenario that can lead to severe health conditions including heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Though, many people does not know they are suffering from high blood pressure due to lack of some specific symptoms always, but hypertension leads to the death of nine million people every year of which half die as a result of heart disease and stroke. By keeping some simple things in mind one can reduce the risk of high blood pressure such as:

• Cutting down on salt
• Eating a balanced diet
• Avoiding harmful use of alcohol
• Doing regular physical activity
• Avoiding tobacco use

In addition to that, Ayurveda, the ancient science of Indian medicine has mentioned effective ways to prevent hypertension or high blood pressure through natural therapies such as pranayama, Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation, panchakarma, meditation, yoga and balanced diet. Ayurveda suggests high blood pressure as a result of imbalance in vata characteristics in the body and in some cases due to pitta vitiation.

Ayurvedic treatment of high blood pressure helps eliminate the root cause of hypertension with the use of herbal medication, detoxification and natural cleansing processes like Panchakarma and wide array of preventive methods mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts.

Know more about High Blood Pressure click here: High Blood Pressure

Source: World Health Organization