The World Hypertension Day was initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL) in 2005 since surveys from many countries showed that more than 50% of the hypertensive population worldwide are unaware of their condition. The aim of World Hypertension Day is to raise awareness of the importance of hypertension (high blood pressure), as it is the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and related disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries (WHO Key facts September 13, 2019). The latest evidence shows that people with uncontrolled or untreated high blood pressure may be at risk of getting severely ill with COVID-19.
Blood pressure measurement and the determination of basic laboratory parameters are part of the screening program in preventive medical checkups. Regular checkups are an important tool for detecting potentially life threatening health issues early before they cause problems.