The hypertension crisis

Sep 25, 2025 Editorial, News

Kaieteur News – It is a well-known fact that the well-being of a nation is tied to the health of its people. When large swathes of a population grapple with chronic illness, the toll on productivity, social welfare, and national development is incalculable. Regrettably, Guyana is in the midst of such a crisis, as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) particularly hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are of growing concerns.

On Tuesday the World Health Organisation unveiled its second Global Hypertension Report, revealing that 1.4 billion people were living with high blood pressure in 2024, yet only about one in five have the condition under control.

The report underscores the urgency: uncontrolled hypertension is a major driver of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and dementia. In low-income countries, only 28 % report that all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines are reliably available at pharmacies or primary care facilities. These global findings must not remain abstract for us; they should galvanise concrete action. In Guyana, we already know that cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, and hypertension occupies a central place among our risk factors.

As stated by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General during the launch of the report: “Every hour, over 1000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, and most of these deaths are preventable.” He said that countries have the tools to change this narrative. With political will, ongoing investment, and reforms to embed hypertension control in health services, we can save millions and ensure universal health coverage for all.”

Earlier this year, PAHO/WHO joined Guyana’s Ministry of Health in marking World Hypertension Day and renewing the call for urgent prevention, detection, and control efforts. Let us take these warnings seriously. The burden of hypertension can be dramatically reduced — but only if both the authorities and every citizen commit to change. For citizens: getting screened and often is critical. Hypertension is widely known as the “silent killer” because it often shows no symptoms until irreparable damage is done as such early detection is vital. Adopting heart-healthy habits by reducing salt intake, eating less processed foods is also crucial.

The authorities must also ensure access to essential medicines and diagnostics. The WHO report warns that many low-income countries do not reliably stock hypertension drugs or basic diagnostics. Guyana must prioritise making essential antihypertensive medications and validated blood pressure devices widely available in primary care settings. Government must also scale up its public education and awareness campaigns, utilising the media, schools, workplaces, and community outreach to promote awareness of hypertension and preventive lifestyles.

The WHO’s latest data is no doubt a stark reminder: millions of preventable deaths globally are tied to hypertension, and the economic burden is staggering. Here in Guyana, where hypertension already looms large, we cannot afford complacency. We call on every Guyanese, young and old, urban and rural to take personal responsibility. And we call on our leaders, health administrators, and policymakers to match that resolve with decisive, systematic action. Let this be the moment when Guyana redoubles its commitment to health, when prevention is no longer a whisper but the centerpiece of our national agenda. The lives saved, the health preserved, and the prosperity secured will make this a legacy we can all share.

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crisis, Editorial, Health, hypertension, World Health organisation

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