World Hypertension Day: Live longer with every accurate measurement

Most importantly: 

• Why does hypertension pose such a big problem for modern humans?
• Correct blood pressure measurement - the first step to good hypertension control  
• What blood pressure devices can be trusted? 

Blood pressure - one of the most commonly measured indicators in any home. Whether it is for a routine check or to control an existing condition, a blood pressure monitor is often among one of the essential devices and remedies in any given person's home pharmacy. The reason for this is clear - lifestyles, diet and daily stress have their impact on the health of the heart and blood vessels. 

However, blood pressure control should be constant and consistent, not just certain moments of stress or sudden need. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a challenge for 2.4 million Bulgarians aged between 30 and 74 years, according to WHO (1). The same statistics show that only one in five people with high blood pressure manage to achieve adequate control over their condition (2). It is for this and a number of other reasons that hypertension is a socially significant disease, also known as the 'silent killer'.

To raise public awareness of the issue, we are celebrating World Hypertension Day on May 17. This year (2025), the slogan of the day is "Measure your blood accurately, control it, live longer". In this article, we will unravel the main message of this initiative, including three important points: correct measurement, good control and a longer and better quality life with hypertension. 

What is considered normal blood pressure?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure on the walls of the arteries is permanently elevated. This forces the heart to work harder, which over time can lead to serious health problems. If left unchecked, hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney damage and vision loss. Because it often runs its course without clear symptoms, hypertension has been called a "silent killer," so measuring it regularly and keeping it within normal ranges are critical to long-term health. 
 
In connection with this, healthy and dangerous values for blood pressure are determined according to multiple factors, but mainly by categories relative to the patient's age. The upper limit in measurements is called systolic blood pressure and indicates the highest value of pressure in the circulatory system when the heart is contracting and pumping blood into the arteries. The lower limit is known as diastolic blood pressure and indicates the lowest value of pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting and filling with blood.  

The normal and recommended values for different age groups are as follows: 
 
Children (3 to 12 years): 
Systolic: about 80-110 mmHg 
Diastolic: 60-70 mmHg 
 
Teens (13-19 year olds): 
Systolic: about 90-120 mmHg 
Diastolic: 60-80 mmHg 
 
Adults (19-59 years): 
Systolic: up to 120 mmHg 
Diastolic: up to 80 mmHg 
 
Elderly (over 60 years):  
Systolic: 120-140 mmHg  
Diastolic: below 90 mmHg 

Why does high blood pressure go unnoticed for a long time? 

Hypertension is one of the most insidious diseases of modern society. The main reason it goes unnoticed for a long time is that in its early stages it does not cause specific symptoms. A person can feel completely normal, work, play sports and live, without any obvious signs of any health problem. 
 
High pressure stresses the walls of the blood vessels and the heart slowly over time. This strain does not cause pain or discomfort at first, so most people do not suspect that their blood pressure is outside the normal range. 
 
In addition, symptoms, when they do occur, are often non-specific - for example, headache, fatigue, mild dizziness or pulsation in the ears. These complaints are usually attributed to stress, sleep deprivation or overwork and rarely lead the patient directly to a doctor. 

Neglect of regular measurement and lack of accurate instrumentation 

Lack of regular preventive checkups further contributes to the problem. Many people measure their blood pressure only when they already have serious complaints or on occasions such as before surgery. It is also not uncommon for people to use old, uncalibrated or inaccurate devices when measuring blood pressure, which can give misleading results. Unreliable readings lead either to a false sense of security or to unnecessary anxiety, making timely diagnosis and control of hypertension difficult. 

The lack of regularly checking blood pressure at home 

Another significant factor for high rates of hypertension is the lack of established self-monitoring habits in the home environment. Although home blood pressure measurement is recognized as one of the most effective ways to detect and track disease early, many do not practice regular monitoring at home. Some are afraid of finding a problem, others don't know how to properly measure their pressure, and still others simply don't realize the importance of this habit. Thus, without regular home monitoring, most patients remain unaware of their condition for a long time. 
 
According to the World Health Organization, 46% of people with hypertension do not know that they suffer from this disease. This means that almost one in two people with high blood pressure live without a diagnosis and without the necessary treatment, while the risk of stroke, heart attack or kidney failure increases with each passing year(3). 
 
This "invisibility" of hypertension is the reason why regular and correct measurement of blood pressure - both in a doctor's office and at home - is so important. Only through active prevention and timely detection can we prevent the severe consequences that occur when it is already too late. 

Accurate measurement: the first sure step to a longer life 

Correct and accurate measurement of blood pressure is the basis of the treatment and control of hypertension. Without reliable measurements, doctors cannot judge whether a patient has high blood pressure, how severe his condition is, and whether the therapy prescribed is effective. 
 
Accurately measuring blood pressure means getting the value itself right - with a calibrated device, in the right conditions and with the right technique. This is the basis for a correct diagnosis. If the measurement is not accurate, even the best treatment may be misdirected. 

For the measurement to be as reliable as possible, certain conditions must be observed (4):  
 

• The measurement should be carried out in a quiet room with optimum temperature.
• The patient must not have smoked, consumed caffeine, eaten or exercised within at least 30 minutes prior to the measurement.
• Before the actual measurement, the patient should remain seated and relaxed for 3 to 5 minutes.
• During the measurement should not talk - neither the patient nor the medical staff. 

Body position is also key (4): 

• The patient should be seated with his back turned. Legs should be on the floor, uncrossed.
• The arm should be exposed and supported on a table, with the middle of the arm at the level of the heart. 

The measurement itself is carried out according to a standardised scheme (4): 

• Especially when using a manual BPM, three consecutive blood pressure measurements are taken (if the values are normal - two), with an interval of one minute between them. 
  The average of the last two measurements is used for the final result. 

But measurement is only the first step. Once the diagnosis is made, the real challenge begins - proper blood pressure control. This means keeping its values within normal limits over the long term by combining a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, limiting stress and salt) and regular monitoring. Control involves taking active measures to maintain healthy blood pressure, not just a momentary measurement. The goal is to protect the vessels, heart and organs from the harms of high pressure. 
 
Thus accuracy in measurement and systematic control go hand in hand. Without one, the other is impossible.

How easily can it be incorporated into everyday life? 

Measuring blood pressure does not have to be a complicated or burdensome process. Just a few minutes a day, while following the basic rules, can provide valuable information about our health. Incorporating measurement into your daily routine - for example, in the morning before work or at night before bed - can become an easy and natural habit, similar to brushing your teeth. In this way, regular monitoring becomes part of taking care of ourselves without putting a strain on our day. 
 
Home blood pressure measurement plays a key role in the successful management of hypertension. Data collected at home is much more indicative of the patient's true condition and allows a more accurate assessment of the effectiveness of treatment.  

Sendo: confidence and precision in blood pressure care 

On 17 May - World Hypertension Day - the attention of the whole world is focused on the prevention and control of one of the most widespread "silent" diseases. For this fight to be successful, not only awareness is needed, but also practical solutions for our daily lives. One of the key elements is having a reliable blood pressure measuring device at home - a device we can trust at any moment. 
 
Choosing the right device is important because the accuracy of the measurement is the basis of proper monitoring and treatment of hypertension. In this context, the solutions offered by Sendo are tailored to the needs of any person who wants to monitor their health from the comfort of their own home. 
 
The SENDO Advance 3 is a fully automatic digital blood pressure monitor that combines high clinical accuracy with ease of use. Designed specifically for home use, the device uses patented HIRA (Heartbeat Irregularity Rate Analysis) technology to detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Thanks to these features, one can rely on objective and reliable results with every measurement. 
 
The SENDO Advance 2 is another practical choice for everyday use. The device is digital and operates at the touch of a button, making it particularly suitable for people looking for convenience and speed As well as measuring blood pressure and pulse, it also detects the presence of arrhythmia and alerts you to it via a symbol on the display. In this way, even without being a medical professional, we can get a timely indication if there are abnormalities in the heart rhythm. 
 
Recognizing the need for access to high-quality blood pressure devices, Sendo launched the "Every Heart Counts" initiative. Through this campaign, everyone has the opportunity to return an old device - no matter the model or brand - and receive a discount on the premium SENDO Advance 3 model. In addition to supporting hypertension control, this initiative also promotes environmental care by reducing e-waste.  
 
Blood pressure control is easiest when we know when we have variations in it. It is World Hypertension Day that appeals for this important health indicator to be measured reliably by following the exact guidelines description above. Given the stressful lives we all lead, we need to trust a device that will not mislead us and create unnecessary doubts and tension in us. SENDO Advance 3 is the right assistant to give us peace of mind that the blood pressure value is the one we see on the screen. 
 
Find out what the focus of last year's World Hypertension Day theme was and how Sendo brought awareness here.  

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FAQ: 

How often should I measure my blood pressure at home if I have hypertension? 

• If you have already been diagnosed with hypertension, the best practice is to measure your pressure at least twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening. It's important to take the measurements at the same time of day, in relaxed conditions, to track actual fluctuations and to aid in proper treatment. 

What does it mean if the device displays different values each time I measure? 

• Slight variations between individual measurements are normal. Blood pressure naturally fluctuates depending on the current state of the body. However, if the differences are large and constant, this may be a sign of incorrect measurement technique or the need for further medical examination.