The Nigerian Hypertension Society says hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of death and disability in Nigeria and around the world.

Professor Simeon Isezuo, President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society, said the society has joined the global community to mark World Hypertension Day.

“This day serves as a reminder that hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of death and disability in Nigeria and the world,” he said.

“This year’s theme, -‘ Controlling Hypertension Together: Check your blood pressure regularly and defeat the silent killer’- emphasises that no single group can win the fight against hypertension alone.

Control of hypertension requires coordinated action by the government, health workers, civil society, the private sector, spiritual and traditional leaders, and families—especially in Nigeria.

The burden of hypertension in Nigeria is enormous, with 1 in every 3 adults living with the condition.

Fewer than 1 in 5 people living with hypertension in Nigeria achieve their target blood pressure. This is unacceptably low.

Hypertension remains a ‘silent killer’ because it rarely causes symptoms until it leads to complications such as stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, heart attack, and premature death.

Yet hypertension is largely preventable and treatable if detected early. The silent killer can therefore be defeated.

However, efforts to defeat hypertension in Nigeria are hampered by low awareness, late diagnosis, poverty, poor adherence to medication, a weak primary healthcare system, and unhealthy lifestyles—especially high salt intake, physical inactivity, and stress.

Current economic pressures have worsened the situation, driving up the cost of medicines, transportation to health facilities, and healthy foods.

These factors have forced many people with hypertension to skip doses, take underdoses, or abandon treatment entirely.

The Nigerian Hypertension Society is committed to working with the government, professional bodies, patient groups, and all relevant stakeholders to scale up screening for hypertension and advocate for policies that promote its control.

As part of World Hypertension Day, our members across the nation will conduct free blood pressure screenings nationwide and run public awareness programs through print and electronic media.

A continuing medical education program—a webinar on hypertension and diabetes—will also be organised for health workers.

The Society commends the Nigerian Government’s efforts in hypertension control and calls for subsidised essential medicines for hypertension and expanded health insurance coverage.

Health workers are encouraged to screen every adult at every opportunity, provide lifestyle counselling, and follow evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of hypertension.

The media should use their platforms to spread accurate information on hypertension.

Families should support relatives to adhere to their medication, attend follow-up clinics regularly, and adopt healthy diets.

Every individual should know their ‘numbers,’ including blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

Together, the control of hypertension is achievable, and this silent killer can be defeated.