Chilling data

The prevalence of HBP in adults in Sri Lanka

is estimated to be between 20-25%. It is only in about 1/3rd of the known per

sons with HBP is this condition controlled. The problem is particularly bad in rural communities, where 1 in 4 adults is estimated to suffer from HBP. Studies in different communities in South Asia including Sri Lanka suggest an “alarmingly” high prevalence exceeding 60% of inadequate HBP control.

Across the world:

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the biggest killers worldwide – around 18 million people die per year globally. High blood pressure (HBP) is the leading attributable risk factor for CVD and premature death globally. Of these 18 million deaths, 70% are in low

and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 20% of all these 18 million deaths are estimated to be attributable to non-optimal BP which means that the BP is not at the best possible level .