This year’s World Health Day sounds the alarm about a silent global killer： raised blood pressure， otherwise known as hypertension. One in three adults worldwide has this condition. It is a major cause of death in rich and poorer countries alike.

　　今年的世界卫生日提醒人们警惕一个无声的全球杀手：血压升高，俗称高血压。全球每三个成人中就有一个人有高血压。高血压在穷国和富国都是一个主要死亡原因。

　　Raised blood pressure， a main trigger for cardiovascular disease， all too often goes undiagnosed because symptoms are rare. The good news is that when it is detected early enough， relatively simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks， heart failure and strokes. That is why the United Nations encourages all adults to have their blood pressure regularly checked at health care facilities.

　　高血压是心血管疾病的一个主要诱因，常常因没有症状而未得到诊断。但好消息是，如果发现得早，只要采取相对简单的步骤就可以大幅度降低患心脏病、心衰和中风的风险。这就是为什么联合国鼓励所有成年人定期到保健机构测量血压。

　　Following a healthy lifestyle can add years to all our lives. The evidence is unequivocal. Cutting down on the consumption of processed salt， eating a balanced diet， avoiding harmful use of alcohol， getting regular exercise， reducing stress and avoiding tobacco use minimize the risk of developing high blood pressure and further consequences such as strokes or heart attacks.

　　健康的生活方式可以延长我们所有人的寿命。这方面的证据确凿无疑。减少盐的食用量，注意饮食平衡，避免过量饮酒，经常锻炼，减轻压力和不吸烟，可以把患高血压和高血压引发中风和心脏病的风险降低到最低限度。

　　Addressing high blood pressure is a key to tackling cardiovascular disease one of the four most deadly non-communicable diseases.

　　防治高血压是防治心血管疾病的关键，心血管疾病是四种最致命的非传染性疾病之一。

　　The other three cancer， chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are on the rise everywhere， particularly in low- and middle-income countries， and increasingly among younger people. The countries that are hit hardest are those that can least afford the social and economic consequences of losing a significant part of their workforce to illness and premature death. These are the same countries that can least afford to pay for treatment and care.

　　其他三种疾病癌症、慢性呼吸系统疾病和糖尿病的全球发病率正在上升，特别是在中低收入国家中，而且有越来越多的年轻人患病。患病率最高的国家恰好是那些最无法承受很大一部分劳动力患病和早亡的后果的国家。这些国家也最没有支付治疗费用的能力。

　　I welcome the growing， global momentum to address non-communicable diseases. At the General Assembly in September 2011， countries committed to taking action. Since then， the World Health Organization has worked with partners to develop a global action plan to address non-communicable diseases in the years leading up to 2020.

　　我欢迎国际社会日益注重非传染性疾病的防治。各国在2011年9月联大期间承诺采取行动。其后，世界卫生组织与有关伙伴合作，制订了一个2020年前防治非传染性疾病的行动计划。

　　Reducing hypertension is a critical element in that action plan and something we can all play a part in. Let us become aware of our own blood pressure levels， and contribute to greater public awareness of the problem of hypertension.

　　减少高血压患病率是该计划的一个重要内容，我们都可以为此出力。让我们量一下自己的血压是多少，并让更多的人了解高血压问题。