World Hypertension Day
While countries of the Americas continue to make progress towards the prevention and control of hypertension, on the eve of World Hypertension Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calls for more to be done at the primary health care level to tackle this principal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Hypertension is a common condition which affects over 35% of people aged 30-79 years in the Americas. It is the leading risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, which together cause more than 2.2 million deaths each year in the Region. It is also a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease, dementia, and complications of diabetes.
