Hypertension Surges as Bangladesh’s Top Health Threat

Public health experts have called for an urgent nationwide push to tackle the alarming rise in hypertension

Public health experts are urging a nationwide campaign to tackle the rising prevalence of hypertension, which has now emerged as the leading health burden in Bangladesh, according to the recently released Health and Morbidity Status Survey (HMSS) 2025.

The survey shows hypertension topping the list of the country’s 10 most common diseases, followed by peptic ulcer, diabetes, arthritis, skin diseases, heart disease, asthma, osteoporosis, hepatitis, and diarrhoea.

Researchers warned that high blood pressure has quietly become a major public health threat, demanding stronger awareness, early detection, and preventive measures.

The HMSS 2025 collected data from 189,986 individuals across 47,040 households during November–December 2024. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) shared the findings at a dissemination event on Sunday.

Experts cautioned that without mass screening, lifestyle awareness, and affordable treatment, Bangladesh could face a surge in heart attacks, strokes, and kidney diseases in the coming years.

The report found that 332 out of every 1,000 people (33%) experienced some form of illness in the 90 days preceding the survey. Average medical expenditure per person during this period was Tk 2,487, with women spending slightly more than men. Women also relied more on government health facilities.

The survey also revealed that 26.7% of people aged 15 and above use tobacco, with usage higher in rural areas (27.7%) than urban areas (24.1%).

Diet and Lifestyle Driving Hypertension

Unhealthy dietary habits are major contributors to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights high salt and trans-fat consumption as significant modifiable risk factors.

WHO estimates that inadequate fruit and vegetable intake contributed to 3.9 million deaths worldwide in 2017. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat, sugar, and salt can prevent NCD risk factors.

Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb, member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said the agency is enforcing trans-fat regulations and plans to introduce front-of-pack food labeling to encourage healthier choices.

Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology at the National Heart Foundation, emphasized the need for systems that inform consumers about salt and ingredient levels in processed foods before purchase.

Despite ongoing efforts, one in four Bangladeshis still suffers from hypertension, and experts say current initiatives are insufficient. They stressed the importance of uninterrupted anti-hypertensive medicine supply at Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.

Bangladesh has been recognised positively in the WHO’s Global Report on Hypertension 2025, showing control rates rising from 15% in 2019 to 56% in 2025 in several regions. The report highlights the importance of free medicines at the grassroots level and sustained long-term investment.

Globally, heart disease accounts for one in five premature deaths, with hypertension as a leading cause. In Bangladesh, 34% of all deaths are due to heart disease, with 283,000 cardiovascular deaths annually, over 52% linked to hypertension. WHO estimates over 1,000 preventable deaths every hour worldwide from uncontrolled hypertension.

Professor Dr Abdullah Al Shafi Majumder, former NICVD director, stressed early diagnosis and medical control to reduce cardiovascular deaths.

Dr Geeta Rani Devi, CBHC Programme Manager, called for community-level health promotion supported by strong policy advocacy for healthy diets.

Dr Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director of DGHS, acknowledged budget and management constraints in providing medicines for NCDs but expressed hope for improvement.

Md. Riad Arafin, Deputy General Manager of the Essential Drugs Company Limited, confirmed their commitment to timely supply of anti-hypertensive medicines to NCD corners and Community Clinics.

Experts say progress in controlling hypertension is encouraging but not yet sufficient, calling for urgent, comprehensive nationwide measures.