Public urged to carry out regular blood pressure checks

One out of five people in Cyprus suffers from hypertension, the Cyprus Cardiology Society said on Monday.

The figures were released on World Hypertension Day, which falls annually on May 17. The event was initiated to increase the awareness of hypertension.

According to the Cyprus Cardiology Society, many people are not aware they suffer from hypertension, which often leads to high blood pressure if not properly addressed and treated.

The society organised an island-wide educational campaign to raise public awareness on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

With the message “Measure your blood pressure, Live longer”, the campaign also aims to inform people about the risk factors of high blood pressure.

“International research shows that the incidence of arterial hypertension has increased over the last four decades, leading to an increased number of deaths,” the president of the Cyprus Cardiology Society Theodoros Christodoulides said.

“It is now imperative to implement preventive measures, as well prescribing drug therapies for people with elevated blood pressure,” he said stressing that blood pressure is elevated if systolic pressure is greater than 140 and diastolic pressure is greater than 90.