Welcare Centers offer free health check-ups to mark World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day 2007 is an occasion to raise awareness about high blood pressure and its consequences.

Hypertension is the largest risk factor for heart diseases, stroke and kidney diseases. Over 1.5 billion people suffer from hypertension worldwide and the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified hypertension as the top cause of deaths related to cardiovascular disease. However, awareness about hypertension is very poor among the public. Annually, cardiac diseases and hypertension account for 9% of deaths among UAE nationals. Coined the 'silent killer' high blood pressure is a chronic disease that can be easily measured and successfully treated, yet nearly 70% of people who have high blood pressure do not have it under control.

Welcare World Health Systems will offer the free blood pressure screenings as part of the Regional Alliance for Hypertension Awareness (RAHA)'s initiative launched by DOHMS in its fight against this serious disease. "At least 1 in 4 people have high blood pressure and in our ongoing commitment to improve the health of the community we would like to encourage everyone to support Hypertension Day by having their blood pressure checked," says Dr Ottmar Schmidt, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Welcare World Health Systems. "People who suffer from high blood pressure are three times more likely to develop heart failure. The purpose of World Hypertension Day is to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical implications and we at Welcare World are happy to support RAHA in their initiatives to educate the public in its fight against the silent killer," added Dr. Schmidt.