Detecting high blood pressure is the first step in preventing and controlling it4 April 2013 – This year's slogan for World Health Day, celebrated annually on 7 April is: control your blood pressure ... control your life. High blood pressure is one of the most important contributors to heart attacks and stroke – which together are the world’s highest causes of premature death and disability. Researchers estimate that high blood pressure contributes to more than 8 million deaths each year globally. It also increases the risk of conditions such as kidney failure and blindness.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with a population of 600 million people, the rates of physical inactivity are higher than in any other region in the world. Overall, more than a third of men and nearly half of women in the Region are physically inactive. Around 50% of adults in the Region are overweight and in some countries more than 70% of women and an increasing number of children are overweight. In some countries of the Region more than 50% of men use tobacco.

Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, noted that the prevention and control of blood pressure is possible through affordable and effective interventions: “We need to change our lifestyles. This means eating a healthy balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit.