Blood Pressure (BP) is recorded by systolic and diastolic values. The systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure in the arteries during contraction (systole) of the ventricles of the heart. The diastolic blood pressure is the pressure during relaxation (diastole). Observed BP readings form a continuum and cut-off points can be selected at specific points along this continuum to define hypertension or high blood pressure (HBP).

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the worldwide prevalence of diabetes in adults to be around 173 million in 2002 and predicted that there will be at least 350 million people with Type 2 diabetes by 2030.  At present about two-thirds of persons with diabetes live in developing countries and the majority of new cases will originate from these areas.  The global increase in the incidence of diabetes is related to high levels of obesity associated with a change from traditional diets, diminishing levels of physical activity, population ageing and increasing urbanization.