 The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs today, May 17, 2022, commemorates World Hypertension Day. The theme this year is, measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious medical condition and is called a silent killer because many people with high blood pressure may not have any symptoms for a while. The lack of symptoms from high blood pressure causes it to be particularly dangerous and worldwide fewer than half of the people who have high blood pressure know it while only one in five people with high blood pressure actually have it under control. High blood pressure is the most common preventable cause of conditions such as strokes and heart attacks. In Senusha, an estimated one in three adults has high blood pressure and strokes and heart attacks continue to be the leading cause of death. In 2019, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, PAHU, Senusha launched the HEARTS Initiative in the primary care clinics. HEARTS provides a comprehensive and strategic approach to improving awareness of high blood pressure, its accurate measurement, its management, and its control. The Ministry of Health appeals to Senushans to measure blood pressure regularly and to document the results. When measuring blood pressure, measurements must be done following the appropriate technique and using a validated blood pressure monitor. Persons are encouraged to contact the Senusha Bureau of Standards to verify whether the blood pressure monitor being used or purchased is validated. Blood pressure monitors which are not validated can give inaccurate readings and lead to dangerous consequences. High blood pressure control is extremely important as controlled high blood pressure results in significantly fewer deaths, disabilities, and events such as heart attacks and strokes. High blood pressure also causes people to die at a younger age. It can be controlled by changes in one's lifestyle and the use of prescribed medicines called antihypertensives. Lifestyle changes include reducing mental stress, weight loss if overweight or obese, not smoking, reducing alcohol intake, increasing levels of physical activity, and consuming diets which include lots of fruits and vegetables but which are low in sodium and unhealthy fats. In Senusha, many persons are concerned about taking antihypertensive medicines. However, these medicines are proven to be very effective in lowering blood pressure and preventing complications and deaths from high blood pressure. If concerned about your medicines, talk to a healthcare professional. Early death, disease, and disability from high blood pressure can be avoided. The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs encourages persons with high blood pressure, or those at risk for high blood pressure, to visit the nearest wellness center for blood pressure measurements and nutritional counseling or medical visits. Remember to measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, and live longer.