Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia
Hypertension significantly raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, and is the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide. It afflicts an estimated 1.4 billion people globally, including more than 273 million people in the WHO South-East Asia Region—over 159 million of whom remain unaware of their condition. Almost 8 in 10 people with hypertension in the Region do not have their blood pressure under control, placing a significant burden on individuals, families, and health systems, and increasing the risk of severe complications.
The theme for World Hypertension Day this year, "Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer, " is both a rallying call and a practical reminder urging individuals to know their numbers, while reinforcing coordinated action across communities, health systems and policymakers.
Hypertension is both preventable and manageable, starting with the simple first step of regular blood pressure measurement, followed by timely action through lifestyle changes or treatment. Healthy diets, avoiding tobacco, reducing alcohol intake, and regular physical activity can significantly reduce risk. Where lifestyle changes alone are insufficient, affordable and effective treatments are widely available and can prevent serious complications when taken consistently.
Much progress has been made across the Region. Through the WHO SEAHEARTS initiative, over 68.5 million people with hypertension were placed on protocol-based management as of December 2025, and most public health care facilities now follow standardized treatment protocols. The Region achieved the target to reduce salt exposure with 2.08 billion people being covered by at least one WHO SHAKE technical package measure. In parallel, 2.03 billion people gained protection from industrial trans fats through best-practice frameworks, exceeding the 2 billion target.
Looking ahead, the Region has committed to extend SEAHEARTS milestones for 2030: 100 million people with hypertension to be placed on protocol-based management, with 60 million having controlled blood pressure by 2030. This is aligned with global target set out in the political declaration from the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases, in 2025.
Yet gaps remain. Of those currently on protocol-based management, only 15.3 million have their blood pressure under control at the facility level. Many facilities still lack access to clinically validated blood pressure monitoring devices. Stockouts or limited dispensing of protocol medicines persist, and the inclusion of single-pill combination medicines in national essential medicines lists and primary care supply chains remains insufficient. Only 6 countries in the Region currently report blood pressure control data at the primary health care level.
WHO calls on all partners to act.
Governments must implement policies that reduce risk factors, including promoting healthier food environments, physical activity, and stronger tobacco and alcohol control. They must ensure equity by strengthening primary health care, and ensuring access to diagnosis and treatment are critical to reducing disparities.
Regulatory authorities should work with manufacturers to expand access to affordable, validated blood pressure monitors for both home and facility use.
Healthcare providers must prioritize early detection, patient education, and continuous care.
Communities and civil society have a crucial role in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting healthier choices at the household level.
Individuals must check their blood pressure regularly, as the simplest—yet crucial—first step.
On World Hypertension Day, let us renew our commitment to act with urgency and unity, to promote regular blood pressure checks, improve access to quality care, and support healthier choices for all.
Together, we can control hypertension and defeat this silent killer.