The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the global hypertension crisis, revealing that more than 1.4 billion people are living with high blood pressure, with only one in five successfully keeping it under control. The newly released Global Hypertension Report highlights that this silent killer remains one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide, largely due to poor access to treatment and weak health systems.
The report, unveiled during the 80th UN General Assembly, disclosed that just 28% of low-income countries have consistent access to all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines in primary health facilities. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and dementia, yet it is both preventable and treatable. WHO warned that unless urgent action is taken, millions more lives will be lost while economies continue to bear the heavy financial burden of untreated high blood pressure.
Between 2011 and 2025, cardiovascular diseases linked to uncontrolled hypertension are projected to cost low- and middle-income countries about US$3.7 trillion, roughly 2% of their combined GDP. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stressed that every hour, over 1,000 people die from strokes and heart attacks caused by hypertension—many of which could have been prevented with effective treatment.
The report also identified several barriers to effective management of hypertension, including weak policies on health risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol, high salt intake, trans fats, and physical inactivity. Other challenges include unreliable blood pressure measuring devices, poorly trained health workers, high drug costs, erratic supply chains, and lack of financial protection for patients.
Despite the global challenge, some countries have recorded success stories. Bangladesh improved hypertension control from 15% to 56% in certain regions between 2019 and 2025 through expanded screening and follow-up services. The Philippines adopted WHO’s HEARTS technical package at the community level, while South Korea reduced drug costs and patient fees, achieving a 59% control rate.
WHO urged governments to prioritize hypertension prevention and treatment within universal health coverage reforms. Strengthening primary health systems, ensuring affordable access to medicines, and improving awareness campaigns are among the steps recommended to save millions of lives and reduce the socio-economic impact of this global health crisis.
