As the global community marks World Hypertension Day, the worsening cost of living crisis, stress, ignorance, and sedentary lifestyle have been identified as key drivers of the silent killer in Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS), between 30 and 40 percent of Nigerian adults live with High Blood Pressure (HBP), with many cases remaining undiagnosed and untreated. The Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) laments that over 80 million Nigerians are currently living with the condition.
Economic Hardship Fueling Hypertension
Experts warn that severe economic hardship, especially the soaring costs of rent, school fees, transportation, and other living expenses, is putting immense stress on Nigerians, thereby contributing to a surge in hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. According to the NCS, studies show that only 60 percent of Nigerians who are hypertensive are aware of their condition. Out of these, only 33 percent receive treatment, and merely 10 percent have their blood pressure under control.
Global Burden of Hypertension
Hypertension, commonly referred to as a “silent killer,” remains the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 1.4 billion people live with the disease globally. Uncontrolled high blood pressure claims more than 10 million lives every year. Despite the availability of effective and affordable treatments, many people remain unaware of their condition, and only about one in four individuals with hypertension have their blood pressure adequately controlled. Hypertension is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.
Understanding Hypertension
Hypertension, also called Systemic Hypertension, is a clinical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg. It is termed a silent killer because it often presents no symptoms before complications arise. These complications include stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney diseases.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Health experts identified unhealthy diets, including excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol intake, and being overweight, as risk factors for hypertension and associated diseases. They noted that lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy, low-salt diet, losing weight, being physically active, and quitting tobacco can help lower HBP.
World Hypertension Day 2026
World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17 and forms part of Hypertension Awareness Month. This year’s theme, ‘Controlling Hypertension Together: Check your blood pressure regularly, defeat the silent killer,’ aims to raise global awareness of the disease, promote prevention, detection, and control, and encourage action at individual, community, and health-system levels.
Expert Opinions
In an interview with The Guardian, the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) Director of Hypertension, Prof. Austine Obasohan, revealed that not less than 80 million people in Nigeria are hypertensive. He said, “The burden of hypertension in Nigeria is immense. Current estimates indicate that 30 to 40 percent of Nigerians are hypertensive. Considering a population of over 200 million, that amounts to no less than 80 million people. We are approaching 100 million people with hypertension, which is a huge burden.”
Also speaking with The Guardian, the President of the NCS, Prof Anthony Odili, stated that the incidence of hypertension “is on the rise in Nigeria,” adding that about four in every ten adult Nigerians are hypertensive. Describing the situation as very worrisome, Odili noted that the rate is among the highest in the world. Consultant Cardiologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and a senior Lecturer at the Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Dr Adeola Ajibare, expressed concerns about the rising cases of HBP in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, and the world at large, lamenting that the rate of increase in hypertension prevalence in Nigeria is worse compared to developed nations.
