With a series of initiatives the Bulgarian Cardiology Institute celebrates the World Anti-Hypertension Day on May 17th

With free check-ups and consultations with leading cardiologists, a school for patients and outreach check-ups, the hospitals and medical centers of the Bulgarian Cardiology Institute celebrate this year’s World Hypertension Day – May 17. About the initiatives on the ground inform the management of the medical institutions.

Already today, /16 May/ in ‘Heart and Brain’ Pleven will open its doors to patients. It is an initiative of the Clinic of Cardiology under the leadership of prof. Yana Simova. Leading cardiologists at the hospital will consult and inform patients about the risks of hypertension, methods of prevention and give advice on healthy lifestyle. The aim is to raise awareness of the disease and the role of prevention, early detection and treatment of high blood pressure.

‘Heart and Brain’ Burgas joins the initiative with outreach consultations at central locations in Burgas and Sozopol, where cardiologists will measure the blood pressure of citizens, determine the cardiac risk and contribute to improving awareness, prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases.

Free cardiological check-ups are also organised by the specialised cardiology hospitals in Yambol and Shumen. In Yambol, free consultations will be held at the Yambol Cardiology Medical Centre from 10.00 to 18.00. Free consultations with leading cardiologists at the hospital in Shumen are scheduled from 11.00 to 16.00.

On May 17, the Specialized Cardiology Hospital in Veliko Tarnovo will conduct free blood pressure measurements and consultations for citizens. The examinations and consultations will be carried out by cardiology specialists in the centre of the old capital.

The Specialized Cardiology Hospital in Pleven continues with the outreach cardiology examinations in small settlements. They are completely free of charge and take place according to a preliminary schedule, covering the whole of North-West Bulgaria. The dates are announced in advance so that residents can make the most of the initiative. In May, there will be screenings in 11 locations – in the municipalities of Vidin, Boychinovtsi, Byala Slatina. The schedule for June is also ready. Mayors and personal doctors who wish to take part in the initiative can contact the hospital at 064 804-480.

World Hypertension Day has been celebrated since 2005 on the initiative of the World Hypertension League, with the main aim of raising public awareness of the disease and thus improving prevention.

According to the World Health Organization, 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension, with the majority (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries

Approximately 46% of adults with hypertension do not know they have the disease.

Less than half of adults (42%) with hypertension are diagnosed and treated.

Approximately 1 in 5 adults (21%) with hypertension have it under control.

Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.

Statistics show that the lower age limit of hypertension is falling and there are now recorded cases of children with this disease. The actual number of people suffering from arterial hypertension exceeds the statistics. The reason for this is that Bulgarians rarely have preventive examinations and seek specialist cardiological care when the symptoms of hypertension are already pronounced and their quality of life is deteriorating.

Stress, smoking, daily use of alcohol, poor diet and insufficient exercise are the main factors for many diseases of the cardiovascular system. Regardless of the cause of hypertension, the consequences of not treating it can be serious. It increases the risk of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, kidney failure, affects vision and inflicts many other damages because high blood pressure can strike all the organs in our body.