The World Health Organisation has raised alarm that uncontrolled high blood pressure is putting over 1.4 billion people at risk of premature death.
According to WHO’s second Global Hypertension Report released on Tuesday, 1.4 billion people were living with hypertension in 2024, yet just over one in five had it under control either through medication or lifestyle adjustments targeting modifiable health risks.
The report, launched at an event co-hosted by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Resolve to Save Lives during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, further revealed that only 28 per cent of low-income countries reported that all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines were generally available in pharmacies or primary care facilities.
Hypertension, which is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and dementia, is preventable and treatable. But the organisation warned that without urgent action, millions of people would continue to die prematurely while countries faced mounting economic losses.
From 2011 to 2025, cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, are projected to cost low- and middle-income countries about US$ 3.7 trillion, an amount estimated to be around 2 per cent of their combined GDP.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said:
“Every hour, more than 1,000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths are preventable. 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.”
Also speaking, Dr Kelly Henning, who leads the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Health Programme, said:
“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. Strong policies that raise awareness and expand access to treatment are critical to reducing cardiovascular disease and preventable deaths.”
An analysis of data from 195 countries and territories showed that 99 of them had national hypertension control rates below 20 per cent. Most of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries where health systems face resource limitations.
The report identified major gaps in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for hypertension. Barriers include weak health promotion policies on risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, salt, and trans fats; limited access to validated blood pressure devices; lack of standardised treatment protocols and trained primary care teams.
Other barriers listed were unreliable supply chains, costly medicines, inadequate financial protection for patients, and weak information systems to monitor trends.
Blood pressure medicines, according to WHO, remain among the most cost-effective public health tools. Yet, only seven out of 25 low-income countries (28 per cent) reported the general availability of all WHO-recommended medicines compared to 93 per cent of high-income countries.
The report further explored barriers and strategies for improving access to hypertension medication through stronger regulatory systems, better pricing and reimbursement mechanisms, improved procurement and supply chain management, and more efficient prescribing and dispensing.
President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, Dr Tom Frieden, said:
“Safe, effective, low-cost medicines to control blood pressure exist, but far too many people can’t get them. Closing that gap will save lives, and save billions of dollars every year.”
Despite the barriers, the report noted that progress is achievable. Bangladesh, the Philippines, and South Korea have recorded significant improvements by integrating hypertension care into universal health coverage, investing in primary care, and engaging communities.
Bangladesh, for instance, increased hypertension control in some regions from 15 per cent to 56 per cent between 2019 and 2025 by embedding hypertension treatment services in its essential health service package and strengthening screening and follow-up care.
The Philippines successfully incorporated WHO’s HEARTS technical package into nationwide community-level services, while South Korea implemented reforms including reduced costs for antihypertensive drugs and limiting patient fees. These measures resulted in a national blood pressure control rate of 59 per cent in 2022.
WHO, however, urged all countries to integrate hypertension control into universal health coverage reforms. The body stressed that implementing the measures recommended in the report could prevent millions of premature deaths and reduce the heavy social and economic burden of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
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