World Hypertension Day 2026

May 17th is World Hypertension Day, and the Echo Heroes are making an impact by spreading awareness about the importance of getting your blood pressure screened!

So what exactly is hypertension? Well, to understand that, we must first understand what blood pressure is. Blood pressure is the amount of force your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. If blood pressure increases then remains at 130/90 for multiple readings, that is called hypertension. Hypertension is a chronic condition, which can lead to heart disease. It’s important to note that one blood pressure screening with high numbers does not mean you have hypertension! That is why checking your blood pressure at least once a year can help you keep track of your numbers, so you can avoid the surprise of hypertension!

Getting your blood pressure checked is a simple thing to do! Check out the comic below to see how you can prepare for a blood pressure screening: