World Hypertension Day is a global healthcare event celebrated on the 17th of May every year, intending the communication of increased blood pressure significance to people in addition to explaining the impact of hypertension in the development of serious medical complications and providing a piece of knowledge on prevention, detection and treatment.

• To achieve the above goals, various local and global healthcare organisations, media, healthcare professionals and volunteer organisations come together to provide resources for spreading awareness. 
• Currently, hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or more and/or diastolic blood pressure of more than 80 mmHg as per American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Significance of World Hypertension Day (WHD)

• Hypertension is called the silent killer as it gradually increases in the body, due to which the development of various cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure. It gives no warning signs or symptoms whatsoever.