The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that uncontrolled high blood pressure could put over 1.4 billion people at risk of premature death.
WHO, in its second Global Hypertension Report, released on Tuesday, showed that 1.4 billion people lived with hypertension in 2024, yet just over one in five have it under control either through medication or addressing modifiable health risks.
The new report was released at an event co-hosted by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Resolve to Save Lives during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
It also reveals that only 28 per cent of low-income countries report that all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines are generally available in pharmacies or primary care facilities.
Hypertension is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.
It is both preventable and treatable – but without urgent action, millions of people will continue to die prematurely, and countries will face mounting economic losses.
From 2011 to 2025, cardiovascular diseases—including hypertension—are projected to cost low- and middle-income countries approximately US$3.7 trillion, equivalent to around 2 per cent of their combined GDP.
‘Every hour, more than 1000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths are preventable’, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said.
‘Countries have the tools to change this narrative. With political will, ongoing investment, and reforms to embed hypertension control in health services, we can save millions and ensure universal health coverage for all’.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure claims more than 10 million lives every year, despite being both preventable and treatable.
‘Countries that integrate hypertension care into universal health coverage and primary care are making real progress, but too many low- and middle-income countries are still left behind’, Dr Kelly Henning, who leads the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Health Program, said
‘Strong policies that raise awareness and expand access to treatment are critical to reducing cardiovascular disease and preventable deaths’.
Analysis of data from 195 countries and territories shows that 99 of them have national hypertension control rates below 20 per cent. The majority of the affected people live in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems face resource constraints.
The report highlights major gaps in hypertension prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
