The latest global report on high blood pressure by the World Health Organization reveals that uncontrolled hypertension threatens the health of more than 1.4 billion people worldwide.
The report noted that only a little over one in five people have their condition under control, whether through medication or by reducing modifiable health risks.
Dr. Alarcos Cieza, head of WHO’s Management of Noncommunicable Diseases unit, described hypertension as a worldwide emergency.
“What this really means is that more than a billion people are living with the condition without treatment. As a result, they face a high risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, or even other illnesses such as dementia,” she explained.
Although high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable, the absence of urgent intervention means millions will continue to die prematurely while nations grapple with rising economic losses.
In many low and middle income countries, access to essential medicines remains limited, and when available, they are often unaffordable.
