Hypertension now Bangladesh’s biggest health burden

High blood pressure.

Dhaka, Nov 30 - Public health experts have called for an urgent nationwide push to tackle the alarming rise in hypertension, which has emerged as the leading disease burden in Bangladesh, according to the newly released Health and Morbidity Status Survey (HMSS) 2025.

The survey reveals that hypertension tops 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 say the findings underscore how silently, yet steadily, high blood pressure has turned into a major public health threat — one that demands stronger public awareness and early detection campaigns.

The HMSS 2025 compiled data from 1,89,986 individuals across 47,040 households during November–December last year.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) shared the findings at a dissemination event on Sunday.

Experts warn that unless hypertension is addressed through mass screening, lifestyle awareness and affordable treatment, the nation could face a surge in heart attacks, strokes and kidney diseases in the coming years.

The report revealed that 332 out of every 1,000 people—33%—experienced some form of illness in the 90 days preceding the survey.

The average per-person medical expenditure during that period stood at Tk 2,487, with women spending slightly more (Tk 2,576) compared to men (Tk 2,387). Women were found to rely more on government health facilities.

According to the survey, 26.7% of people aged 15 and above use tobacco products. Usage remains higher in rural areas (27.7%) than in urban settings (24.1%).

Dietary Habits Driving Hypertension

Unhealthy dietary patterns continue to fuel the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies high salt and trans-fat consumption as major modifiable risk factors.

WHO estimates that 3.9 million deaths worldwide in 2017 were linked to inadequate fruit and vegetable intake. Evidence suggests that diets rich in fruits and vegetables—and low in fat, sugar and salt—can help prevent NCD risk factors.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member (Food Industry and Production) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said the agency is not only enforcing trans-fat regulations but also working to introduce front-of-pack labeling to promote healthier food choices.

Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation, stressed the need for a system that informs consumers about salt and ingredient levels in processed foods before purchasing.

Despite ongoing efforts, one in four Bangladeshis still suffers from hypertension, and experts warn that current initiatives are not enough. Ensuring an uninterrupted supply of anti-hypertensive medicine at Community Clinics and Upazila Health Complexes is critical, they said.

Bangladesh has been recognised as a positive example in the WHO’s second Global Report on Hypertension, which found that hypertension control rates rose from 15% in 2019 to 56% in 2025 in several regions.

The WHO report highlights the importance of ensuring free medicines at grassroots level and calls for sustained long-term investment.

Globally, heart diseases account for one in every five premature deaths, with hypertension being a leading cause.

In Bangladesh, 34% of all deaths are attributed to heart diseases.

According to the WHO Global Report on Hypertension 2025, 283,000 people die of cardiovascular diseases annually in Bangladesh, and 52% of these deaths are linked to hypertension.

WHO states that over 1,000 lives are lost every hour worldwide due to strokes and heart attacks caused by uncontrolled hypertension—most of them preventable.

Professor Dr Abdullah Al Shafi Majumder, former Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), stressed the importance of early diagnosis and medical control of hypertension to curb cardiovascular deaths.

Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, Programme Manager of Community Based Health Care (CBHC), emphasized starting health promotion initiatives at the community level, supported by strong policy advocacy for healthy eating habits.

Dr. Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), acknowledged budgetary and management constraints in providing medicines for hypertension and other NCDs.

“However, we are hopeful these issues will be resolved soon,” he said.

Md. Riad Arafin, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing) of the Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), told UNB that the organization remains committed to timely supply of anti-hypertensive medicines.

“We ensure these medicines reach NCD corners and Community Clinics for people at the grassroots, and we remain committed to its continuation,” he said. - UNB