Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Americas and high blood pressure accounts for over 50% of CVD. Unfortunately, in the Americas, over a quarter of adult women and four in ten adult men have hypertension, and the diagnosis, treatment, and control are suboptimal. Remarkably, only a few countries exhibit a population hypertension control rate of over 50%. To address this critical problem, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) initiated the HEARTS in the Americas, a comprehensive CVD risk reduction initiative currently being implemented in more than 3000 healthcare facilities in 32 countries.
➔ Measuring your blood pressure accurate is crucial to know if you have high blood pressure [systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg (high number) and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg (low number)].
➔ Providers are encouraged to use an automated blood pressure measurement device clinically validated to obtain accurate blood pressure readings.
➔ High blood pressure or hypertension is a silent killer because in its early stages, it rarely causes symptoms, and many people go undiagnosed.
➔ If you haven’t gotten your blood pressure measured in one year or less, visit a primary health care facility in your community to obtain an accurate blood pressure reading.
➔ If you have hypertension, you should seek advice from a health professional.
➔ Diagnosing and treating high blood pressure (hypertension) timely can reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure, among other health problems.
➔ When blood pressure is high, the heart has to pump harder, increasing the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in some organs such as the brain, kidneys, and eyes, among others.
➔ Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to disability, a reduced or poor quality of life, or even a deadly heart attack or stroke.
➔ Pharmacological treatment is always needed to control high blood pressure; additionally, lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, being physically activity, quitting tobacco products and alcohol, may reduce life-threatening complications.
EVENTS
Webinar: Improving hypertension management, strengthening primary health care
In observance of World Hypertension Day 2023 - commemorated every May 17th, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative, kindly invites you to attend the webinar on Thursday, May 18th, 2023. This webinar will highlight the low hypertension awareness rate worldwide, promote accurate blood pressure measurement methods, and underscore the importance of improving hypertension control to live longer and healthier.
- DATE: Thursday, 18 May, 2023
- TIME: 11:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
- REGISTER: https://paho-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_936-CeBmTg6QQQLYOweBCQ
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- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- LANGUAGES: The webinar will be in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with interpretation to all languages.
If the Zoom room reaches its capacity, you can watch the broadcast via Youtube at:
NEWS
Improved management of hypertension could save 420,000 lives each year in the Americas, PAHO Director says
Washington D.C. 11 May 2023 – In the run-up to World Hypertension Day (17 May), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, has urged countries to intensify efforts to improve the management of hypertension, a measure that could save around 420,000 lives in the Americas each year.
Recording of the session
CARDIOVASCULAR RISK CALCULATOR
➔ As blood pressure increases, so do cardiovascular risk. Therefore, all patients with hypertension should get their cardiovascular risk estimated and learn how to modify it.
➔ Use the Cardiovascular Risk Calculator of the HEARTS App to assess your cardiovascular risk.
➔ This App does not replace clinical judgment.
➔ Always seek advice from a health professional if your blood pressure is high (> 140/90 mmHg for people without known cardiovascular disease or diabetes).
Videos
