In support to the PD 1761 Series of 2009, declaring the month of May as the “Hypertension Awareness Month”, the National Nutrition Council XII urges for raising awareness on Hypertension.

According to, World Health Organization, Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.

Hypertension is called a "silent killer". Most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem because it may have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is important to know your numbers. Frequent monitoring of your blood pressure may help in preventing worse cases of hypertension. In addition, preventing and treating hypertension can be achieved through healthy lifestyle changes. Such as:

• Eating a healthy diet, including the DASH diet(eating more fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products, less saturated and total fat)
• Limit eating junk or processed foods
• Reducing the amount of sodium in your diet to less than 1 teaspoon a day
• Getting regular  exercise
• Limiting alcohol intake and smoking

Uncontrolled or unmanaged hypertension can create serious damages to your heart and other vital organs. For this month of May, we encourage all to be aware of the causes, risks and treatments of hypertension. Know your numbers, start your healthy lifestyle. (PNC Rentoza/ OIC-NPC Flores)

References:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension,

https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-treatment-overview