Amman, May 16 (Petra) -- Jordan and the international medical community will observe World Hypertension Day on Sunday amid growing warnings from healthcare professionals over the rising prevalence of the disease, often dubbed the "silent killer" due to its lack of early symptoms.

This year’s global campaign, held under the theme "Together We Control Hypertension: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer," aims to raise public awareness about the disease and emphasize the importance of early detection in preventing severe complications, including strokes, heart attacks, and heart and kidney failure.

Dr. Jamal Dabbas, President of the Jordan Cardiac Society, told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that hypertension remains a premier global health challenge due to its direct link to cardiovascular diseases. He noted that the danger lies in the fact that many individuals only discover their condition after experiencing critical medical emergencies.

Dabbas explained that modern healthcare strategies have shifted from viewing hypertension merely as a chronic illness requiring pharmaceutical management to treating it as an integrated public health priority. This approach demands the construction of national framework systems focused on early screening, continuous monitoring, and standardized treatment protocols.

The official highlighted that Jordan took a significant step forward this year by launching a comprehensive national package of unified protocols and recommendations for cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.

Developed during a national conference sponsored by the Jordan Medical Association and supported by nine specialized medical societies, the initiative aims to enhance integration across various components of the healthcare sector.

The project standardizes care pathways for hypertensive patients within emergency departments, primary health centers, and hospitals. It also establishes clear guidelines for critical and complex cases, such as hypertension during pregnancy and cases linked to heart failure, renal disease, and stroke.

A key outcome of this initiative is the planned establishment of a national registry for cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. The registry is designed to provide accurate data to support future healthcare planning, facilitate scientific research, and analyze disease prevalence and treatment outcomes across the Kingdom.

Dabbas added that Jordan’s medical sector continues to strengthen its international standing through active participation in global scientific forums and its membership in several European cardiac and hypertension societies.

He urged citizens, particularly high-risk individuals such as smokers and those managing obesity, diabetes, or a family history of the disease, to undergo regular blood pressure screenings. He emphasized the necessity of adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including reducing salt intake, maintaining regular physical activity, and strictly adhering to prescribed medical treatments.

//Petra// AF

16/05/2026 22:12:57