World Hypertension Day, established by the World Hypertension League (WHL) in 2005, is observed annually on May 17. Its mission is to raise global awareness about high blood pressure and promote prevention, early detection, and effective management.
“Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”ongoing campaign highlights the critical importance of accurate monitoring and effective management of blood pressure to support a longer and healthier life.
Hypertension continues to be a major public health concern. It is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Did you know that the number of people worldwide living with hypertension doubled between 1990 and 2019, from 650 million to 1.3 billion? As of 2019, the global age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 32% among women and 34% among men.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in three adults worldwide suffers from high blood pressure, and nearly four in five affected individuals do not receive adequate treatment. In response to this global challenge, the Menarini Group supports a range of initiatives at both international and local levels. One of the key events this year is the 34th annual European Meeting on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection (ESH 2025), scheduled in Milan from May 23 to 26. The congress encourages active participation of both experts and young researchers and will address hypertension from multiple angles: from the underlying mechanisms of the disease to its progression throughout life and its connection to cardiometabolic disorders.
Another important appointment is the European Society of Cardiology congress (ESC 2025) in Madrid from August 29 to September 1. As the world’s leading cardiology event, ESC Congress brings together leading experts to drive innovation in patient care through groundbreaking research, pioneering technologies, and collaborative initiatives. With a special focus on “Global Health,” the 2025 edition will further highlight the growing importance of cardiovascular disease within the broader global health agenda, offering a comprehensive international and multidisciplinary perspective embracing the broad cardiology spectrum.
These initiatives are designed to increase public awareness about the importance of prevention and blood pressure control, encouraging regular monitoring and promoting healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Accurate measurement and ongoing attention remain essential tools in addressing one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.