World Hypertension Day happens every year on May 17. The goal is to raise awareness of hypertension (high blood pressure) around the world. It’s organized by the World Hypertension League and countries around the world participate.

While World Hypertension Day is for everyone, it’s specifically focused on raising awareness around hypertension in low- and middle-income areas. These are places where it can be harder to get regular and accurate blood pressure readings.

To help people around the world understand hypertension and get it diagnosed accurately, World Hypertension Day offers a chance to focus education and awareness campaigns on this condition.

Why Act on World Hypertension Day?

World Hypertension Day gives you the chance to help others understand the importance of getting their blood pressure checked. Telling your story may help someone else get lifesaving medical care.

High blood pressure often doesn’t have symptoms, so many people may not be thinking about this health problem. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to serious complications.

How To Support Heart Health on World Hypertension Day

There are a number of ways you can participate in World Hypertension Day. You can act on a large or small scale. All actions matter, and they can all help people understand more about hypertension.

1. Learn About Hypertension

The first thing you can do is learn more about hypertension yourself. There’s a lot of information available online, and there are even training courses you can take where you can learn to understand blood pressure readings or use blood pressure monitors.

If you or someone you love is living with hypertension, taking some time to learn more can help you make informed healthcare decisions.

You can also help people understand risk factors, like a family history of high blood pressure, to help ensure as many people as possible get an accurate diagnosis. You can also learn and share how healthy habits and certain lifestyle changes may help people avoid developing hypertension and other related health problems, like heart failure, heart attacks, and kidney disease.

2. Post on Social Media

Posting on social media about hypertension and hypertension awareness is a great way to share your message. The World Hypertension League has provided social media images that you can use on your own posts.

Not sure what to share? Posting facts about hypertension or sharing your own story could help. If you’re comfortable, talking about the ways hypertension has affected your life can help motivate other people to get checked or get the treatment plan they need.

If sharing personal information feels difficult, you can limit your post so only certain people can see it. You’ll still be influencing those people in a positive direction.

3. Change Your Email Signature

You can update your email signature to include links about hypertension to raise awareness of the day. There are logos you can download that are formatted and ready to be used.

If you’re thinking about changing your email signature for work, make sure it’s allowed at your company. If you’re not sure, asking your boss or human resources should help you get the answers you need.

4. Urge the Government To Help

Call your elected representatives and other influential people to take action around hypertension. The World Hypertension League aims to have half of the world’s hypertension controlled by the year 2030.

You can support this goal by signing the global call to action. The call to action includes four requests:

• Free diagnostic care and treatment for hypertension worldwide
• Blood pressure testing and care in all general medical practice
• Hypertension care as a government and funding priority
• Greater transparency about how many people have hypertension and how many have it controlled with medical treatment

Adding your name to the call to action is one step toward achieving them around the world. You can ask others, like your healthcare providers, to sign, too, to increase awareness even more.

5. Hold Your Own Event

You can organize many types of community events for World Hypertension Day. Try an educational table outside a local business (ask permission), put on a webinar, or invite a speaker to give a public talk.

Be creative — any event you can run will add to the global effort.

6. Support Global Hypertension Initiatives

There are a lot of events that happen across the globe around World Hypertension Day. You can raise awareness about these events, particularly if you have a way to reach an audience in one of the countries where they’re happening.

You may also be able to donate to these organizations and events. You can donate online, or reach out to them and ask what kind of help they need.

Partnering with people around the world can help you feel connected to other people affected by hypertension.

7. Wear Red

Red is the designated color for hypertension awareness. You can buy hypertension awareness clothing, wristbands, magnets, and more, or just wear whatever red you already own.

Wearing red can help you start conversations about hypertension with people you might not otherwise talk to. If someone asks you why you’re wearing red, you can share your story and encourage them to get their blood pressure checked.

Join the Conversation

On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, people share their experiences with heart disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How do you plan to support heart health on World Hypertension Day? Let others know in the comments below.