WORLD HEALTH DAY 2013

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE Global and Regional Overview

GLOBAL BURDEN G In all WHO regions, males had a slightly higher
prevalence of raised blood pressure than
High blood pressure is one of the most important
females, but this difference was only statistically
G
causes of premature death worldwide killing
significant in the Region of the Americas and the
nearly 9.4 million people every year globally,
European Region.
and the problem is growing.
The prevalence of raised blood pressure in low,
Over 1 billion people are living with high blood
G
lower-middle and upper-middle income countries
G
pressure. In 2008, globally, the overall
is higher (40%) than in high-income countries
prevalence of high blood pressure (including
(35%).
those on medication for high blood pressure) in
adults aged 25 and above was around 40%. G In high-income countries, strong public health
policies, multisectoral preventive action and
Among all WHO regions, the prevalence of
widely available diagnosis and treatment have
G
raised blood pressure was highest in the African
led to a reduction in the prevalence of high
Region (46%) and lowest in the Region of the
blood pressure. In contrast, in many developing
Americas (35%). In the South-East Asia Region,
countries the disease burden caused by raised
36% of adults have hypertension.
blood pressure has increased over the past
decade.

Age-standardized prevalence of raised blood pressure in adults

aged 25+ years by WHO Region, 2008
50
46.7 Males
44.6 44.5
41.0 Females
40.3 40.6
40 39.0 38.6
37.1 37.3
34.9 35.8
34.7
31.5
30
Per cent

20

10

0
African Region Eastern European South-East Western Global
Region of the Mediterranean Region Asia Region Pacific
Americas Region Region

Source: Global status report on noncommunicable diseases, 2010. Geneva, World Health Organization 2011.

BLOOD PRESSURE TAKE CONTROL

 High Blood Pressure Global and Regional Overview

BURDEN IN THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA G Prevalence of hypertension is increasing in many

REGION countries in the Region. In India, raised blood
pressure increased from 5% in the 1960s to
G High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for nearly 12% in 1990s, to more than 30% in
death claiming 1.5 million lives each year in the 2008. In Indonesia, the percentage of adult
Region. population with raised blood pressure increased
G One in three adults in the Region has high blood from 8% in 1995 to 32% in 2008. In Myanmar,
pressure. the Ministry of Health reported an increase in
high blood pressure prevalence, from 18% to
Males have a slightly higher prevalence of high
31% in males, and from 16% to 29% in females
G
blood pressure than females in almost all
during 20042009.
countries of the Region.
Ageing population, rapid urbanization and
In the 10 countries from which data were
G
transition from agrarian life to a wage-earning,
G
available, the prevalence of high blood pressure
modern city life are reported as major
ranged from 19% in Democratic Peoples
contributors to increased blood pressure in urban
Republic of Korea to 42% in Myanmar.
areas.

Age-standardized prevalence of raised blood pressure in adults

aged 25+ years, South-East Asia Region, 2008
50 Males
44.3 Females
42.7
41.9
40.4 39.8
40 39.2
37.4 37.0 20.5
36.0 36.0
34.2
32.9
31.6
29.7
30
Per cent

26.2

20.5
20.1 20.4
20
17.1

10

0
Sri Lanka
Nepal
DPR Korea
Bangladesh

Thailand
Bhutan

Maldives

Myanmar
Indonesia
India

Source: WHO. Noncommunicable diseases in the South-East Asia Region: Situation and response 2011. New Delhi, World Health
Organization 2011.

WORLD HEALTH DAY | 2013