According to the first-ever hypertension report by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 30 million adults in Pakistan are dealing with hypertension or high blood pressure. The report, titled “The race against a silent killer,” reveals that out of these 32.2 million hypertensive individuals, only 44% have received a diagnosis, including 34% of men and 54% of women.
Furthermore, only 35% of those diagnosed are receiving treatment, with just 11% achieving controlled hypertension (8% among men and 14% among women). The report also highlights concerning health trends in Pakistan, such as daily salt consumption per capita of 9 grams, 21% of the population being smokers (34% males and 8% females as per 2019 data), and 34% of Pakistanis being physically inactive as per 2016 data.
The WHO report indicates that around 450,000 people died of cardiovascular disease in Pakistan in 2019, with 58% of these deaths attributed to high blood pressure. The report deplores the lack of treatment guidelines for managing hypertension in Pakistan, as well as the absence of a national target for blood pressure and salt consumption.
The report suggests that to achieve a 50% control rate, 12.5 million more people with hypertension would need effective treatment. If this progress scenario is realized, approximately 839,000 deaths could be averted by 2040.
Globally, the WHO report reveals that the number of people living with hypertension doubled between 1990 and 2019, reaching 1.3 billion. Nearly half of these individuals are unaware of their condition, and more than three-quarters of adults with hypertension live in low and middle-income countries.
Hypertension, affecting 1 in 3 adults worldwide, leads to serious health issues such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage. While factors like genetics and age contribute to the risk of hypertension, lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption also play a role.
The report emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, including healthier diets, tobacco cessation, and increased physical activity, in managing blood pressure. Some individuals may require medication to control hypertension effectively.
The prevention, early detection, and management of hypertension are cost-effective healthcare interventions that should be prioritized by countries. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notes that hypertension can be controlled effectively with simple, low-cost medication regimens but remains inadequately managed in many cases.
The report was launched during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which addresses various health goals, including pandemic preparedness, tuberculosis eradication, and universal health coverage.
