High blood pressure ‘now more prevalent in low-income countries’

A new study has revealed that high blood pressure is now a more prevalent issue in low-income countries than richer ones.

A 2010 data analysis published in the journal Circulation involving more than 968,000 participants from 90 countries found that more than 30 percent of adults worldwide live with high blood pressure.

Moreover, 75 percent of these live in low or middle-income countries, marking the first time that this issue has been more common in poorer nations than in their higher-income counterparts. This is possibly a consequence of ageing populations and urbanisation.

It was also noted that healthcare systems in many low and middle-income countries are overburdened and do not have the resources to effectively treat and control hypertension, while the fact it is a symptomless condition means it may be going underdiagnosed.

Dr Katherine Mills, lead author and researcher at Tulane University, said: "Collaboration is needed from national and international stakeholders to develop innovative and cost-effective programmes to prevent and control this condition."

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