Hypertension biggest health challenge
Staff Reporter :
Public health experts are calling for an immediate, countrywide initiative to curb the rapidly growing prevalence of hypertension, which has now become Bangladesh’s most significant disease burden, according to the newly published Health and Morbidity Status Survey (HMSS) 2025.
The survey indicates that high blood pressure has climbed to the top of the country’s 10 most prevalent ailments, followed by peptic ulcer, diabetes, arthritis, dermatological issues, cardiac diseases, asthma, osteoporosis, hepatitis and diarrhoea.
Researchers note that the findings reveal how quietly-but consistently-hypertension has evolved into a serious public health concern. They say a stronger push for public awareness, routine screening and early detection is urgently needed.
Data for HMSS 2025 was collected from 1,89,986 respondents across 47,040 households during November-December last year, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) announced at a dissemination event on Sunday.
Experts caution that without mass blood pressure screening, widespread lifestyle education and access to affordable treatment, Bangladesh may soon see rising cases of heart attacks, strokes and kidney complications.
The survey also shows that 332 out of every 1,000 people-about 33 percent-reported experiencing an illness within the 90 days before the survey. Average medical expenses per person during that period reached Tk 2,487.
Women
spent slightly more (Tk 2,576) than men (Tk 2,387), and they were more inclined to seek care from government health facilities.
According to the findings, 26.7 percent of people aged 15 and above use tobacco products, with higher consumption in rural areas (27.7 percent) compared to urban regions (24.1 percent). Poor dietary habits remain a major driver of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension.
The World Health Organization (WHO) flags excessive salt intake and trans-fat consumption as key modifiable risk factors.
WHO data from 2017 suggests that inadequate fruit and vegetable intake contributed to 3.9 million deaths globally.
Evidence confirms that diets rich in fruits and vegetables-and low in salt, sugar and fat-play a critical role in preventing NCDs.
Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb, Member (Food Industry and Production) at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said the agency is enforcing trans-fat regulations and working on introducing front-of-pack labels to help consumers make healthier food choices.
Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation, underscored the need for a system that clearly informs buyers of salt content and other ingredients in processed foods.
Despite continuing initiatives, hypertension still affects one in every four people in Bangladesh, and experts warn that current efforts are insufficient.
They stressed ensuring a steady supply of anti-hypertensive medicines at Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes.
The WHO’s second Global Report on Hypertension recognises Bangladesh as a positive example, showing improvements in hypertension control rates-from 15 percent in 2019 to 56 percent in 2025 across several regions.
The report emphasises the importance of ensuring free medicines at grassroots levels and maintaining sustained investment.
Worldwide, heart disease causes one in every five premature deaths, with hypertension being a major contributor. In Bangladesh, heart-related illnesses account for 34 percent of all deaths.
The WHO Global Report on Hypertension 2025 states that 283,000 people die each year from cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh, with hypertension linked to 52 percent of those fatalities.
Globally, more than 1,000 people die every hour from preventable strokes and heart attacks resulting from uncontrolled hypertension.
Professor Dr Abdullah Al Shafi Majumder, former Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), highlighted the critical need for early diagnosis and proper medical management of high blood pressure to reduce heart-related deaths.
Dr Geeta Rani Devi, Programme Manager of Community Based Health Care (CBHC), stressed the importance of initiating health promotion at the community level, backed by strong policy support for healthier diets.
Dr Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), acknowledged the existing financial and administrative limitations in supplying medicines for hypertension and other NCDs.
“Still, we remain optimistic that these challenges will be resolved soon,” he said.
Md Riad Arafin, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing) at Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), told UNB that the organisation is committed to ensuring uninterrupted supply of anti-hypertensive drugs.
“We make sure these medicines reach NCD corners and Community Clinics for people across the country, and we remain dedicated to continuing this support,” he added.