Did you know that if you work in an office with 40 other people, 10 of them probably have high blood pressure? And if there are 4 people in the lift as you head for home, the chances are that one of you has this problem.
The sobering fact is that one quarter of the world's population has high blood pressure, and it accounts for 14% of all deaths.

But there's no need to worry. The twelfth World Hypertension Day, on 17 May, shows that the main risk lies in not taking high blood pressure seriously enough. Careful prevention, an active lifestyle and a balanced diet significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and make it possible to live with high blood pressure.

GET YOURS CHECKED.

As you might expect, the best way to reduce the risk of high blood pressure is to get yours checked. So on 17 May, information points will be set up in many of Italy's leading public places, offering free checks and a chance to talk to experts and learn some simple ways of managing high blood pressure.

Visit the Italian Hypertension Society's website to find your nearest information point.

Meanwhile, discover more for yourself!

You can find out much more about hypertension by reading our advice, discover simple ways of keeping your blood pressure under control with the Pic it easy! infographic, and learn how to reduce the salt in your diet and prevent high blood pressure by downloading our handy Salt Guide and having a look at the infographic on that subject.

You're spoilt for choice!