The 17th of May was World Hypertension Day and at APHRC, we organized a free screening by trained community health workers where individuals had their blood pressure, body mass index and blood glucose levels checked.
Hypertension is a medical condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. Normal blood pressure is within the range of 100–140mmHg systolic and 60–90mmHg diastolic. Hypertension is is said to be present if the blood pressure is often at or above 140/90 mmHg. APHRC has over the years led and provided research evidence on non-communicable diseases, with a specific focus on hypertension. You can read more about our work in this area by clicking here or here.
The World Hypertension Day is marked annually and is aimed at promoting public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer. One cannot know they have hypertension unless they get regular blood pressure checks, hence the theme for this year’s Day: “Know your numbers”.
Rose Njeri getting her blood pressure checked at the medical screenings.
Thomas Yebei getting his blood glucose levels checked at the medical screenings.
Catherine knows her numbers at the medical screenings.
A participant gets his body mass index recorded at the medical screenings.
Wanjiru Murigi gets her height measured at the medical screenings.