The leading cause of preventable death isn't tobacco or drug use. Neither is it bad diet or lack of exercise. It's high blood pressure, also called hypertension. And it is implicated in many of the cerebral strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases that account for about one-third of all deaths.

Worldwide, one out of every three adults has high blood pressure, which kills 9.4 million people each year. If we don't act, high blood pressure will kill 1 billion during this century.

The World Health Organization is taking action. It is raising awareness by making high blood pressure the theme of the 65th World Health Day on April 7. And it is urging everyone to change their lifestyles to help control high blood pressure.