DH urges public to adopt healthy lifestyle, measure blood pressure and undergo screening regularly in support of World Hypertension Day
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The aim of World Hypertension Day is to increase worldwide awareness of high blood pressure and accurate blood pressure measurements. The theme this year is "Controlling Hypertension Together!". Hypertension is often known as a 'silent killer'. Since patients may not experience symptoms or severe discomfort, many people fail to detect it in a timely manner. According to the DH's Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22, 29.5 per cent of non-institutionalised persons aged 15 to 84 in Hong Kong had hypertension, with more than 40 per cent unaware of having hypertension until they underwent the PHS health examination arranged by the DH.
If left unchecked, uncontrolled, or not properly treated, hypertension can lead to serious health problems, such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even death. In 2024, there were 1 217 registered deaths in Hong Kong attributed to hypertensive heart disease, 45 deaths due to hypertensive renal disease, and 28 deaths due to hypertensive heart and renal disease. This situation cannot be overlooked. Members of the public are advised to measure their blood pressure regularly for early detection and treatment.
What is hypertension
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Adults are considered to have hypertension if their systolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 140 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and/or their diastolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 90 mmHg. According to the Hong Kong Reference Framework for Hypertension Care for Adults in Primary Care Settings issued by the PHCC, adults aged 18 or above should measure their blood pressure at least once every two years. Depending on their blood pressure levels, age, overall cardiovascular risk profile and doctor's recommendation, some individuals may require more frequent blood pressure monitoring.
How to prevent hypertension
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Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential for preventing and controlling hypertension. Reducing salt intake is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. According to the DH’s PHS 2020-22, as many as 83.9 per cent of persons aged 15 to 84 had daily salt intake above the World Health Organization-recommended daily limit of less than 5 grams of salt. Furthermore, the public are reminded to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, and to stay away from secondhand smoke as far as possible.
Regarding physical activity, adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of physical activities of moderate intensity every week. Regular exercise can bring about numerous health benefits, including lowering blood pressure. The DH has regularised the walking challenge under the "10 000 Steps a Day" Campaign on the e+Life platform in the "eHealth" mobile app. The public is encouraged to explore different featured routes with family and friends, and incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
The PHCC is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan through District Health Centres/Expresses and family doctors, thereby enhancing public awareness of disease prevention, establishing a healthy lifestyle, and assisting citizens in developing a personalised preventive care plan across different life stages. Besides, the CDCC Scheme subsidises Hong Kong residents aged 45 and above with no known medical history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension to undergo comprehensive screening of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol) and to receive personalised management on a co-payment basis in the private healthcare sector through pairing with a family doctor of their choice, thereby achieving the goal of "early prevention, early identification and early treatment". The Scheme has performed well in terms of health benefits and cost-effectiveness. The preliminary analysis conducted by a local university research team indicates overall improvements in participants' health conditions. After participating in the Scheme for 12 months, the average systolic blood pressure of hypertension patients decreased from 150 mmHg to 135 mmHg. For more details, please visit the dedicated website of the CDCC Scheme.
The DH will continue to strengthen public awareness campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles for the prevention and control of hypertension, and will collaborate with various stakeholders to foster a healthy living environment.
Ends/Sunday, May 17, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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