Uncontrolled high blood pressure brings over billion people

World Health Organization (WHO) has published its second today Global Hypertension Reportshowing that 1.4 billion people lived with hypertension in 2024, but just over one of five has any medication or solving modified health risks.

A new report-found at an event organized by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropy and rescue the lives decisively during 80^th The United Nations General Assembly reveals that only 28% of low-revenue countries state that all hypertension drugs recommended by WHO are generally available in pharmacies or primary care institutions.

Hypertension is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease and dementia. This is both preventable and curable – but without emergency action, millions of people will still die too early, and the countries will face increased economic losses. From 2011 to 2025, it is estimated that cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, will cost countries with low and medium income of about $ 3.7 trillion, which is equivalent to about 2% of their combined GDP.

“More than 1000 lives have been lost every hour from impacts and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths can be prevented,” said Dr. Tedros Adhana Ghebreyesus, who is the general director. “The countries have tools to change this storytelling. With political will, constant investment and reforms of installing hypertension control in health services, we can save millions and provide universal health covering for everyone.”

“Uncontrolled high blood pressure claims more than 10 million lives each year, although they are also prevented and treated. Countries that integrate the care of hypertension in universal health covering and primary care are made by real progress, but too many countries with low and medium income is still lagging behind,” said Dr. Kelly Henning, which leads Bloomberg Philaberg. “Strong policies that raise awareness and expand their approach to treatment are crucial to reducing cardiovascular diseases and death prevented.”

Permanent barriers

Analysis of data from 195 countries and territories shows that 99 have national hypertension control rates below 20%. Most of the affected people live in low and medium -sized countries, where health systems face resource limitations.

The report emphasizes large gaps in the prevention of hypertension, diagnosis, treatment and long care. Key obstacles include poor 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 standardized protocol treatment and trained teams of primary care, unreliable chains supply and expensive drugs, inforthful.

Access to drugs: stone foundation progress

Blood pressure medicines are one of the most cost -effective tools for public health. However, only 7 out of 25 (28%) of low-income countries reports on the general availability of all medicines recommended by WHO, compared to 93% of high-income countries. The report investigates obstacles and strategies to improve approaching drugs for hypertension through better regulatory systems, prices and compensation, supply chain management and supply chain, and improved prescribing and award of these drugs.

“Sure, efficient, cheap medicines for blood pressure control exist, but too many people can't get them,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, President and Executive Director, decisively save lives. “Closing that gap will save lives – and save billions of dollars every year.”

Earth's progress

Despite obstacles, progress is possible. Bangladesh, Philippines and South Korea have achieved significant progress by integrating the care of hypertension in the universal health covering (UHC), investing in primary care and engagement communities:

• Bangladesh increased the control of hypertension from 15% to 56% in some regions between 2019 and 2025, incorporating treatment with hypertension in its essential health services and strengthening screening and further care.
• Philippines have effectively incorporated Who is the technical package of the heart in community level services across the country.
• South Korea integrated health reforms, including low costs for antihypertensive drugs and restriction of patients' fees, resulting in a high blood pressure control rate at the national level: 59% in 2022.

Who urges all countries to install control of hypertension into UHC reforms. The implementation of the measures recommended in the report could prevent millions of early deaths and facilitate the mass social and economic dial of uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Note the editor:

Who defines clinical hypertension In adults as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg in two different days. Contrary to that, high blood pressure It can increase the risk of heart and kidney disease even at the levels below this threshold. For example, systolic blood pressure below 130 mmHg – although not classified as hypertension – still increases health risks.

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Bloomberg's philanthropy invest in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure a better, longer life for the largest number of people. The organization focuses on the creation of permanent changes in five key areas: art, education, environment, government innovation and public health. Bloomberg's philanthropy includes all the giving of Michael R. Bloomberg, including his foundation, corporate and personal philanthropy, as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultation that advises cities around the world. 2024. Bloomberg's philanthropy distributed $ 3.7 billion. For more information visit Bloomberg.org, Login for our bulletinor follow us further Instagram,, LinkedIn,, YouTube,, Nor,, Facebookand X.

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