High blood pressure, often referred to as the “silent killer,” continues to plague communities worldwide, causing millions of deaths and significant economic losses. A landmark report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) sheds light on the alarming consequences of uncontrolled hypertension, urging nations to prioritize comprehensive strategies for prevention, early detection, and effective management.
Global Impact of Hypertension:
In 2019, an estimated 1.3 billion adults grappled with hypertension globally, making it a pervasive health threat. The report’s foreword emphasizes the personal connection of the author, who lives with hypertension and stresses the disparities in access to medical care and awareness that leave the majority untreated, exacerbating the severity of this silent killer.
For the first time, the report compiles comprehensive data on the far-reaching impact of uncontrolled hypertension, linking it to heart attacks, strokes, premature deaths, and substantial economic burdens on communities and countries. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the revelation that only one in five individuals with hypertension effectively controls the condition, highlighting the neglected state of hypertension control programs.
The WHO’s HEARTS technical package emerges as a beacon of hope, providing cost-effective strategies to curb blood pressure and prevent fatal complications like heart attacks and strokes. It emphasizes early diagnosis and treatment as the cornerstone of living well with hypertension and preventing severe health outcomes. However, the report paints a bleak picture, revealing that only 54% of adults aged 30–79 years with hypertension are diagnosed, 42% are treated, and a mere 21% have their hypertension under control.
Success Stories: Large-Scale Hypertension Control Programs
Large-scale hypertension control programs, like those outlined in the WHO HEARTS technical package, have achieved commendable success in some countries, leading to longer, healthier lives for patients. The package advocates for standardized drug-and-dose-specific treatment protocols, uninterrupted access to quality-assured medications, team-based care, patient-centered services, and robust monitoring systems.
Challenges and Urgency: Neglect and Underfunding
Despite the proven efficacy of simple, low-cost medication regimens, the report highlights the dire under-prioritization and underfunding of hypertension control programs. Strengthening hypertension control is positioned as an integral part of achieving universal health coverage worldwide, emphasizing well-functioning, equitable, and resilient health systems grounded in primary health care.
Global Impact: Towards Sustainable Development Goals
The report emphasizes that hypertension, a preventable and treatable condition, is often inadequately addressed by countries. Increasing the global percentage of controlled hypertension to 50% could prevent a staggering 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal of a one-third reduction in premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases.
UN General Assembly: A Pivotal Moment for Hypertension Awareness
The WHO’s first-ever report on hypertension comes at a pivotal moment during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. It addresses progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the need for better prevention and control of hypertension to advance in health-related goals. The report’s key messages stress the potential to avert millions of deaths, strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure cases through increased investment in hypertension control programs.
Global Voices: Urgency from WHO Leaders and Advocates
Leading global figures, including WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries Michael R. Bloomberg, lend their voices to the urgency of prioritizing hypertension control. They highlight the affordability, accessibility, and efficacy of interventions like sodium reduction and primary health care-based hypertension management, emphasizing that treating hypertension will not only save lives but also billions of dollars annually.
WHO-Recommended Effective Hypertension Care: The Five Critical Components
The WHO-recommended effective hypertension care comprises five critical components: practical treatment protocols, regular medication and equipment supply, team-based care, patient-centered services, and information systems. These components aim to streamline care, improve adherence, reduce barriers to care, and facilitate the rapid recording of patient-level data.
Hypertension in India: A Microcosm of Global Challenges
Providing a continuum of care from early detection to control of hypertension is a critical factor for leading a healthy life. In India, nearly 63% of total deaths are due to noncommunicable diseases, with 27% attributed to cardiovascular disease affecting 45% of people in the 40-69 age group.
India has set a target of a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of hypertension by 2025. To achieve this, the Government of India launched the Indian Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) to fast-track access to treatment services for over 220 million people in India who have hypertension. However, only about 12% of people with hypertension in India have their blood pressure under control.
A 2019-2021 national survey study of 1.7 million respondents exposes gaps in the hypertension care continuum in India. The study reveals that 28.1% had hypertension, of whom 36.9% received a diagnosis, 44.7% of those diagnosed reported taking
Conclusion: Prioritizing Hypertension Care for Global Well-being
In conclusion, the report serves as a clarion call for nations to prioritize hypertension prevention and management as part of their national health benefit packages. The economic benefits of improved hypertension treatment programs significantly outweigh the costs, making it a prudent investment in the overall well-being of populations. As the world grapples with evolving health challenges, tackling the silent killer of hypertension emerges as a critical step toward achieving global health goals and building resilient, equitable health systems.
The report advocates for feasible, low-cost, and essential interventions to improve hypertension prevention and treatment globally. It argues that effective hypertension management will not only bring health and well-being benefits but will also yield substantial economic advantages. By reducing the burden on acute-care services, enhancing healthcare system integration, and mitigating complications like heart attacks and strokes, improved hypertension treatment programs emerge as a crucial step toward achieving global health goals.
References:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2810984