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Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure Kills 10 Million Annually, WHO Warns

Published

7 months ago

September 23, 2025

The World Health Organisation has warned that uncontrolled high blood pressure could put over 1.4 billion people at risk of premature death.

WHO, in its second Global Hypertension Report, released on Tuesday, showed 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 was released at an event co-hosted by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Resolve to Save Lives during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

It also reveals that only 28 per cent 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 per cent of their combined GDP.

“Every hour, more than 1000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths are preventable,” Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.

“Countries have the tools to change this narrative. With political will, ongoing investment, and reforms to embed hypertension control in health services, we can save millions and ensure universal health coverage for all.”

“Uncontrolled high blood pressure claims more than 10 million lives every year, despite being both preventable and treatable.

“Countries that integrate hypertension care into universal health coverage and primary care are making real progress, but too many low- and middle-income countries are still left behind,” Dr Kelly Henning, who leads the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Health Program.

“Strong policies that raise awareness and expand access to treatment are critical to reducing cardiovascular disease and preventable deaths.”

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

The report highlights major gaps in hypertension prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.

Key barriers include weak 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 standardised treatment protocols and trained primary care teams.

Other barriers are unreliable supply chains and costly medicines, inadequate financial protection for patients, and insufficient information systems to monitor trends.

Blood pressure medication is one of the most cost-effective public health tools. Yet only seven out of 25 (28 per cent) of low-income countries report general availability of all WHO-recommended medicines, compared to 93 per cent of high-income countries.

The report explores the barriers and strategies for improving access to hypertension medication through better regulatory systems, pricing and reimbursement, procurement and supply chain management, and improved prescribing and dispensing of these medicines.

“Safe, effective, low-cost medicines to control blood pressure exist, but far too many people can’t get them,” said Dr Tom Frieden, President & CEO of Resolve to Save Lives.

“Closing that gap will save lives and save billions of dollars every year.”

In spite of barriers, progress is possible. Bangladesh, the Philippines, and South Korea have made significant progress by integrating hypertension care into universal health coverage, investing in primary care, and engaging communities:

Bangladesh increased hypertension control from 15 per cent to 56 per cent in some regions between 2019 and 2025 through embedding hypertension treatment services in its essential health service package and strengthening screening and follow-up care.

The Philippines has effectively incorporated the WHO’s HEARTS technical package into community-level services nationwide.

South Korea has integrated health reforms, including low costs for antihypertensive medications and limiting patient fees, which have resulted in a high rate of blood pressure control nationally: 59 per cent in 2022.

WHO, however, called on all countries to embed hypertension control in UHC reforms.

Implementing the measures recommended in the report could prevent millions of premature deaths and ease the massive social and economic toll of uncontrolled high blood pressure.

(NAN)

Related Topics:WHO World Health Organisation

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UNIMAID, Federal Polytechnic Matriculate 82 Degree Students

Published

17 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in affiliation with the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi has matriculated 82 students into the degree programmes across five courses.

Speaking during the matriculation ceremony at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on Tuesday, Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, the Vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri, charged the matriculated students to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the two institutions to enable them achieve the set objectives.

The VC, who was represented by Professor Muhammad Ahmad Waziri, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Services, warned that any student or group of students trying to breach the peace of the two institutions would face the full wrath of the law.

The Don further assured that the University and its affiliated institutions would continue to make easy access to higher quality education to the teeming population across the country.

In a remark, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Sani Usman, said they were affiliated with the university to pursue academic excellence, describing the affiliation as a huge pillar in the education reforms.

The Rector, who was also represented by Dr. Dalhatu Saidu, the Deputy Rector of the Polymeric, commended the university of Maiduguri for not only improving the UNIMAID’s conducive learning environment but expanding the horizon to different higher institutions of learning across Nigeria.

He therefore advised the newly matriculated students to pursue knowledge, to interact freely with the Polytechnic staff, be vigilant and be a brother’s keeper, adding that this would help to achieve the desired objectives.

The affiliated courses included BSc Mass Communication, BSc Accountancy, BSc Public Administration, BSc Business Administration and BSc Banking and Finance respectively.

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Trouble Looms As Egbesu Group Drags FG To Court Over Resource Control, Others

Published

17 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Group known as Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA) has dragged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to a Federal High Court, Yenagoa, over failure to create additional 24 Local government councils in Bayelsa State as the need for Ijaw to control natural resources in its territory.

The Originating Summons marked: FHC/YNA/CS/63/2026 was filed on Tuesday April 21, 2026 by the plaintiffs including; Felix Tuodolo, Weri Digifa, Ebi Waribigha, Kabowei Akamade, Rosebella Jackson, Thomas Jacklloyd, Primrose Kpokposei, David Imole and Welman Warri at the Federal High Court Yenagoa.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation.

In the court documents, the Egbesu Assembly premised their action on the alleged failure of the federal government particularly the National Assembly to deliberate, approve and amend the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

This, according to them, is to allow for resource control as well as the creation of additional LGAs in the state to fulfil the requirements in line with the Constitution.

The group is therefore seeking, among others, the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly to allow for the right to resource control.

The Supreme Egbesu Assembly described the suit action as a promise kept.

Mranwh, In a press statement announcing the institution of the lawsuit on Tuesday, the Egbesu Assembly recalled that, on 12th February 2026, it wrote to both the Federal Government and the National Assembly wherein its gave a 21-Day ultimatum for the duo to respond to the age-long demands for resource control and creation of additional LGAs or face a lawsuit.

The statement partly reads: “Recall that on 12th February 2026, we did inform you that we have written to the National Assembly and the federal government on the need for the creation of an additional 24 Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State as well as the control of our God-given natural resources in Ijaw territory.

“We promised that if the National Assembly and or federal government did not respond to these age-long demands, we were going to seek legal actions to address our demands.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks Wale Edun, Dangiwa As Ministers

Published

18 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, from their cabinet positions.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, said the development was contained in a memo signed by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.

It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.

Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.

He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.

The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.