Tackling hypertension at the primary health level key to reducing preventable deaths – PAHO/WHO

Washington DC May 16, 2025 (PAHO) – While the countries of the Americas continue to progress towards the prevention and control of hypertension, on the eve of World Hypertension DayThe Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) demands that it be done more at the level of primary health care to address this main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (ECV).

Hypertension is a common condition that affects more than 35% of people from 30 to 79 years in the Americas. It is the main risk factor of heart attacks and strokes, which together cause more than 2.2 million deaths every year in the region. It is also an important risk factor for chronic kidney disease, dementia and diabetes complications.

«This high level of health and death of IL caused by hypertension is unacceptable because it can be prevented,» said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of Paho. «Changes in lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, limiting the intake of ultra -processed food products and exercising, are very beneficial for health.»

Policy formulators also play a crucial role in prevention, even through the implementation of policies to promote physical activity and healthy eating, such as salt reduction in food and labeling the package front to allow consumers to make healthier decisions.

However, in addition to focusing on prevention, the director of the PAHO stressed that countries must also ensure that people have better access to diagnosis and treatment, which will imply the equitable expansion of services at the level of primary health care.

In the region of the Americas, up to four out of ten adults have hypertension, however, one third does not know that they have the condition. Of those who are aware, only 80% receive treatment and only 60% of those who receive treatment have controlled hypertension.

To address this, the Hearts of Paho initiative, which is a comprehensive program that focuses on improving the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, supports countries to improve hypertension control and ECV risk management, at the primary care level.

Currently, 33 countries in the Americas have pledged to implement hearts, with 7,158 primary health care centers that reach 37 million adults, 5.7 million of which they receive treatment. «Hearts work and it is our key strategy to reduce preventable deaths related to cardiovascular diseases and strengthen primary health care,» added the director of Paho.

«We have progressed a lot, with hearts available in more than 80% of primary health care facilities in 10 countries. However, we must ensure that they all receive high quality care, no matter where they live,» he said.

The challenges for complete implementation include limited access to clinically validated automatic blood pressure devices in clinical environments and the low availability of high quality medications to reduce blood pressure. PAHO regional rotating funds, a grouped acquisition mechanism that allows the countries of the Americas to access quality vaccines, essential medicines and public health supplies at affordable prices in a timely and transparent way, it is crucial to address these problems.

The funds offer clinically validated blood pressure devices, antihypertensive medications and cholesterol reducers with quality security at competitive prices and work with countries to guarantee demand planning to facilitate continuous access of care and hypertension technologies at the level of primary health care.

The best attention of the PAHO for the Initiative of Non -Transmissible Diseases (NCDS), launched in 2023, aims to facilitate access to quality NCD services within primary health care systems, expanding prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for other chronic conditions, based on existing efforts such as hearts.

«This World Hypertension Day makes hypertension control a maximum priority. Measure its blood pressure with precision, control it and live longer,» concluded the director of Paho.

World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17 to raise awareness and promote the prevention, detection and control of hypertension.