Silent killer, global public health crisis

3 April 2013 -- The Global brief on hypertension describes why, in the early 21st century, hypertension is a global public health issue. It describes how hypertension contributes to the burden of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure and premature death and disability. The document also explains how hypertension is both preventable and treatable and how governments, health workers, civil society, the private sector, families and individuals can join forces to reduce hypertension and its impact.

• Read the global brief on hypertension

One in three adults has high blood pressure, are you one of them?

2 April 2013 -- Many people do not know they have high blood pressure because it does not always cause symptoms. As a result, it contributes to more than nine million deaths every year, including about half of all deaths due to heart disease and stroke. Cut your risk of developing high blood pressure by: cutting down on salt; eating a balanced diet; avoiding harmful use of alcohol; doing regular physical activity; and avoiding tobacco use.

Reducing blood pressure in Japan

28 March 2013 -- This year World Health Day, 7 April 2013, focuses on the global problem of high blood pressure which affects more than 1 in 3 adults but remains largely hidden. This feature story from Japan illustrates how community-based noncommunicable disease programmes have contributed to a reduction in raised blood pressure and strokes.

• Community-based efforts to reduce blood pressure and stroke in Japan

Control your blood pressure

27 March 2013 -- This World Health Day, 7 April 2013, WHO and partners focus on the global problem of high blood pressure. Though it affects more than one in three adults worldwide, it remains largely hidden. Many people do not know they have high blood pressure because it does not always cause symptoms. As a result, it leads to more than nine million deaths every year, including about half of all deaths due to heart disease and stroke.

• Read more about World Health Day 2013

• Top stories
• Silent killer, global public health crisis
• One in three adults has high blood pressure, are you one of them?
• Reducing blood pressure in Japan
• Control your blood pressure

fact buffet
Raised blood pressure
40%of adults aged 25 and over had raised  blood pressure in 2008.
Situation and trends
Cardiovascular diseases
17.3 millionpeople died from cardiovascular diseases in 2008.
Fact sheet on CVDs
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)
80%of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Fact sheet on NCDs

CAMPAIGN KIT

World Health Day 2013 campaign essentials

• Campaign at a glance
• Public health context
• Overall goal and objectives
• Campaign materials
• Key messages
• Get involved
• WHO contacts

Campaign mediacentre

• News release: Measure your blood pressure, reduce your risk
• Posters
• Video

Technical resources

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2011
• Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010
• Guidance on dietary salt and potassium

About blood pressure

• Country data
• Q&As on hypertension

World Health Day around the world

• Africa
• Americas
• Eastern Mediterranean
• Europe
• South-east Asia
• Western Pacific

Feature stories from countries

• Nigerians wake up to high blood pressure
• Community-based efforts to reduce blood pressure and stroke in Japan