Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts over a billion people at risk

The World Health Organisation (WHO) released its second Global Hypertension Report, showing 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 – released at an event co-hosted by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Resolve to Save Lives during the 80th United Nations General Assembly – also reveals that only 28% 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% of their combined GDP.

Analysis of data from 195 countries shows that 99 have national hypertension control rates below 20%. The majority live in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems face resource constraints.

Blood pressure medication is one of the most cost-effective public health tools. Yet only 28% of low-income countries report general availability of all WHO-recommended medicines, compared to 93% of high-income countries.

Bangladesh increased hypertension control from 15% to 56% in some regions between 2019 and 2025 by embedding treatment in its essential health service package.

WHO calls on all countries to embed hypertension control in universal health coverage reforms. Implementing the recommended measures could prevent millions of premature deaths.

Source: World Health Organisation