Patna: More than 210 million people in India are suffering from high blood pressure, the World Health Organization has warned, calling for urgent measures to strengthen detection, treatment and control at the primary care level.
According to WHO’s second global report on hypertension, about 30% of Indian adults aged between 30 and 79 live with the condition – slightly below the global average of 34%. Yet, over 173 million Indians have uncontrolled hypertension, as only 39% are aware of their condition and just 17% have it under control.
High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and dementia. Globally, 1.4 billion people are affected, but only one in five manage to keep it under control through medication or lifestyle changes. WHO warns that unless countries act decisively, millions will die prematurely and low- and middle-income economies could lose $3.7tn in productivity between 2011 and 2025.
India’s response
The Indian health ministry has launched a nationwide screening campaign targeting all citizens aged 30 and above. Between January and June 2025 alone, 11.1 million people were diagnosed with hypertension and 6.4 million with diabetes. Infrastructure has been expanded to include more than 770 district NCD clinics, 233 heart care units and 6,410 community health centres, staffed by frontline workers offering free medication, follow-up and counselling.
India has also introduced community outreach via ASHA workers, who conduct rapid risk assessments using WHO tools. Despite these measures, the country’s hypertension control rate remains at 17%, compared with a global average of 50%.
Regional picture
Neighbouring countries are facing an equally severe crisis. In Pakistan, 42% of adults aged 30-79 have hypertension, with nearly 34 million living with uncontrolled blood pressure. Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal also report prevalence rates above the global average, with the majority of patients unable to keep the condition in check.
Lessons from abroad
WHO highlights Bangladesh, the Philippines and South Korea as examples of progress. Bangladesh lifted hypertension control rates from 15% to 56% in certain regions by including treatment in its essential health services. The Philippines rolled out the WHO HEARTS package nationwide, while South Korea cut drug costs and co-payments, achieving a national control rate of 59% in 2022.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director general, said the solutions are available but require political commitment, investment and stronger health systems. “More than 1,000 people die from strokes and heart attacks linked to high blood pressure every hour. Most of these deaths are preventable,” he said.
