The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the growing burden of hypertension in the South-East Asia Region, warning that millions remain unaware they are living with the condition despite its potentially life-threatening consequences.

Marking World Hypertension Day, Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge for WHO South-East Asia, said hypertension continues to be the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.

According to WHO estimates, around 1.4 billion people globally are affected by hypertension, including more than 273 million people in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Of these, over 159 million people are unaware they have the condition.

Dr. Boehme noted that nearly eight out of ten people living with hypertension in the region do not have their blood pressure under control, placing immense pressure on individuals, families, and healthcare systems while increasing the risk of severe health complications.

This year’s World Hypertension Day theme, “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer,” aims to encourage regular blood pressure monitoring and strengthen coordinated action among communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

WHO emphasized that hypertension is both preventable and manageable when detected early. Regular blood pressure checks, healthier diets, reduced salt intake, physical activity, avoidance of tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption can significantly lower the risk. For individuals requiring medication, WHO said affordable and effective treatments are widely available and can help prevent serious complications when used consistently.

The organization highlighted substantial progress made across the South-East Asia Region through the WHO SEAHEARTS initiative. As of December 2025, more than 68.5 million people with hypertension had been placed on protocol-based management programmes, while most public healthcare facilities in the region now follow standardized treatment protocols.

WHO also reported success in reducing exposure to dietary salt and industrial trans fats. More than 2.08 billion people in the region are now covered by at least one WHO SHAKE technical package measure aimed at reducing salt intake. In addition, around 2.03 billion people have gained protection from industrial trans fats through best-practice policy frameworks, surpassing the WHO target of 2 billion.

Looking ahead, the region has committed to expanding SEAHEARTS targets by 2030. WHO said the goal is to place 100 million people with hypertension on protocol-based management, with at least 60 million achieving controlled blood pressure levels by the end of the decade. The targets align with commitments outlined in the political declaration adopted during the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases in 2025.

Despite the progress, WHO acknowledged several ongoing challenges. Of the millions currently enrolled in treatment programmes, only 15.3 million have achieved controlled blood pressure at healthcare facility levels. Many primary healthcare centres still lack clinically validated blood pressure monitoring devices, while medicine shortages and limited access to single-pill combination therapies continue to affect treatment outcomes.

The organization also noted that only six countries in the region currently report blood pressure control data at the primary healthcare level, highlighting gaps in monitoring and surveillance systems.

WHO called on governments to strengthen policies that promote healthier diets, physical activity, and stronger tobacco and alcohol control measures. It also urged authorities to improve access to diagnosis and treatment through stronger primary healthcare systems and equitable healthcare delivery.

Regulatory agencies were encouraged to work with manufacturers to improve the availability of affordable and validated blood pressure monitoring devices for both homes and healthcare facilities.

Healthcare professionals were asked to prioritize early diagnosis, patient awareness, and long-term management, while communities and civil society groups were urged to support public awareness efforts and encourage healthier lifestyle choices at the household level.

WHO stressed that regular blood pressure checks remain the simplest but most important first step in combating hypertension.

“Together, we can control hypertension and defeat this silent killer,” Dr. Boehme said.