The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first report on the alarming global effects of high blood pressure, urging immediate action to combat this silent killer. The report reveals that around 4 out of 5 people with hypertension are not receiving adequate treatment, but by scaling up coverage, it is estimated that 76 million deaths could be prevented between 2023 and 2050.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects one in three adults worldwide. This deadly condition is linked to serious health problems such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage. The number of people living with hypertension has doubled between 1990 and 2019, reaching 1.3 billion individuals. Shockingly, almost half of these individuals are unaware of their condition, and the majority of adults with hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries.
While age and genetics can increase the risk of high blood pressure, modifiable risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption also play a significant role. Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet, quitting smoking, and increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure. In some cases, medication may be necessary to effectively control hypertension and prevent complications.
The prevention, early detection, and management of hypertension are highly cost-effective interventions in healthcare and should be a priority for countries. The economic benefits of improved hypertension treatment programs far outweigh the costs, with a ratio of 18 to 1. However, currently, only about one in five people with hypertension have their condition under control.
The WHO report emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen hypertension control programs, which have been neglected and underfunded. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlights that hypertension control must be a crucial part of every country’s journey towards universal health coverage, based on well-functioning, equitable, and resilient health systems.
Efforts to address hypertension align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including goals related to pandemic preparedness, ending tuberculosis, and achieving Universal Health Coverage. Successful prevention and control of hypertension are essential for achieving progress in all of these areas.
The report also emphasizes the effectiveness of existing programs, such as WHO’s HEARTS package, in treating hypertension. This package provides practical steps for delivering effective care in primary health care settings. Several countries, including Bangladesh, Cuba, India, and Sri Lanka, have successfully implemented the HEARTS package and enrolled millions of people into treatment programs. Additionally, countries like Canada and South Korea have achieved high levels of blood pressure control in adults through comprehensive national treatment programs.
In conclusion, the WHO report underscores the urgent need for action to address the devastating impact of high blood pressure globally. Implementing WHO-recommended effective hypertension care, including treatment protocols, medication supply, team-based care, patient empowerment, and monitoring, is crucial to save lives and improve global health outcomes.
Definitions:
– Hypertension: a medical condition characterized by high blood pressure.
– HEARTS: an acronym for the WHO’s technical package for cardiovascular disease management in primary health care.
Sources:
– World Health Organization. (2023). Report on Hypertension.
