Context: The World Health Organisation has released its fir-ever report named “Global report on hypertension: the race against a silent killer”.

About Hypertension

• It is commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure levels in the arteries. 

• It is typically measured as two numbers, systolic (when the heart beats) and diastolic (when the heart is at rest) pressure.

• Can be controlled effectively with simple, low-cost medication and preventive measures.

• Healthy eating, tobacco cessation, and increased physical activity can reduce blood pressure.

Key findings of the report

• Approximately 4 of every 5 people with hypertension are not adequately treated, but if countries can scale up coverage, 76 million deaths could be averted between 2023 and 2050.

• Report is based on the analysis of the data where blood pressure is 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher or a person is taking medication for the condition.

• The number of people living with hypertension doubled between 1990 and 2019, from 650 million to 1.3 billion. 

• Nearly half of people with hypertension globally are currently unaware of their condition. More than three-quarters of adults with hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries.

Key findings about India

• Indian Scenario: In India, an estimated 188.3 million adults aged 30–79 years have hypertension.

• About 67 million more people with hypertension would need to be effectively treated in the country to achieve a 50 percent control rate.

• The India Hypertension Control Initiative, a large-scale hypertension intervention under the National Health Mission, has been recognised for its positive work done within the primary healthcare system.

• Hypertension is the most important risk factor for death and disability in India.

• Only 37 per cent of Indians with hypertension are diagnosed and only 30 per cent get treated. 

• At present, only 15 per cent of those with hypertension in the country have it under control.

• More than half of all the deaths in the country (52 per cent) due to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack can be attributed to elevated blood pressure.

• Primary triggers for hypertension in India are high salt intake, tobacco use (28%), obesity, alcohol consumption and lack of physical exercise (34%).

• In National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5 ) reported a hypertension prevalence of 24% in men and 21% among women in 2016-2020, an increase from 19% and 17%, respectively, from the previous round (2015-16). 

• Prevalence: About one-third of the world’s adults live with hypertension and are at risk of heart disease, stroke, or death.

• Globally, the prevalence of hypertension is slightly higher among males (34%) than females (32%). 

• Status of hypertension care: Currently, among adults aged 30–79 years with hypertension, only 54% have been diagnosed with the condition, 42% are being treated for their hypertension, and 21% are considered to have their hypertension controlled.

• Only about one in five people with hypertension have controlled their hypertension. 

• Treatment coverage is highest in the Region of the Americas (60%) and lowest in the African Region (27%).

• Global Target: The world is not on track to meet the voluntary global target of a 25% reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure (uncontrolled hypertension) by 2025. 

• Prevention: Increasing the percentage of people whose hypertension is under control globally to 50% would prevent 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050.

• Treating hypertension is one of the most important interventions to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 of a one-third reduction in premature mortality from the leading noncommunicable diseases.

• Recommendation: WHO supports the reduction of dietary sodium (and increase in potassium), the reduction of alcohol consumption, the control of tobacco use, the promotion of physical activity, and a reduction in air pollution to prevent hypertension.

• The most effective ways to control these hypertension risk factors is via large-scale, population-level public health programmes.