AHPGS(Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Sciences)
21 May 2025 Wednesday
May 17 – World Hypertension Day
IGU Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Assoc. Prof. Dr. H. Merve Bayram made important remarks on the occasion of World Hypertension Day. She emphasized the critical role of nutrition and lifestyle modifications in the management of hypertension.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic condition characterized by a persistent elevation of blood pressure above normal levels. This condition significantly affects major organ systems such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, and is a leading risk factor for the development of numerous health problems including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Effective control of hypertension is critically important to prevent lifelong complications and acute cardiovascular events. In fact, hypertension is considered the most common and significant cause of premature death related to cardiovascular diseases worldwide.
Clinically, hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. In addition to genetic predisposition, various behavioral and lifestyle-related factors contribute to the age-related increase in blood pressure. These include unhealthy dietary habits—particularly diets high in sodium and low in potassium—excess body weight and obesity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and physical inactivity.
World Hypertension Day, observed annually on May 17, aims to raise awareness about hypertension, encourage individuals to monitor their blood pressure regularly, and promote the reduction of preventable complications. Organized under the leadership of the World Hypertension League, the theme for 2025 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”
According to the World Health Organization, one in three adults globally has hypertension, yet nearly half of them are unaware of their condition. Similarly, in Türkiye, one in four adults has been diagnosed with hypertension; however, a significant portion of these individuals do not adhere consistently to treatment or are unable to maintain adequate blood pressure control.
Long-term complications of hypertension include stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and vascular dementia. Fortunately, most of these risks can be prevented through effective hypertension management. Adopting healthy lifestyle changes—such as balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, reduced salt intake, smoking cessation, and maintaining a healthy body weight—is essential. In particular, scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of dietary patterns such as the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) in lowering blood pressure.
The DASH diet emphasizes foods rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, and lean protein sources, while being low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and added sugars. This diet provides a balanced intake of potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and protein, and recommends reducing sodium intake to below 2300 mg per day, ideally to 1500 mg. When combined with portion control and physical activity, the DASH diet not only helps reduce blood pressure but also lowers overall cardiovascular risk. Developed by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, this dietary model is endorsed by global health authorities.
On the occasion of World Hypertension Day, it is of great importance for individuals to measure their blood pressure at least once a year, recognize their personal risk factors, and seek professional medical advice when necessary. Additionally, improving health literacy at the community level, expanding hypertension screening programs, and strengthening public health policies in this context are essential for achieving sustainable success in combating hypertension.
