New research suggests that improving access to high blood pressure treatment could prevent more than 518,000 deaths worldwide every year. The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 and examined how better preventive healthcare could reduce deaths from heart disease and other serious conditions.
Study findings across 20 countries
Researchers analysed data from 20 countries and found that improving blood pressure treatment could save more lives than any other preventive measure included in the study. Scott Pilla, associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said: “We found that expanding treatment of high blood pressure to more people prevented the most deaths.”
The study estimated that better blood pressure control could prevent 518,476 cardiovascular deaths each year across the countries examined. It also found that improving access to cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins could prevent 340,682 deaths annually, while better blood sugar control among people with diabetes could prevent a further 309,520.
Control rates remain low
However, the researchers found that only around one in five adults with high blood pressure in the countries studied had their condition under control. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels over time and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. It often has no obvious symptoms, meaning people may not realise they have it.
Daniel W. Jones, chair of the American Heart Association’s 2025 guideline writing committee, said the findings showed the importance of effective treatment. “This modeling analysis offers important information on the potential global impact of high blood pressure and, importantly, the opportunity to, with treatment, reduce the number of deaths due to high blood pressure-related conditions,” he said.
Treatment targets and advice
Dr Jones added: “Treatment of high blood pressure to goal leads to longer lives and also healthier lives.” The American Heart Association recommends a blood pressure treatment target below 130/80 mm Hg for adults with high blood pressure. Managing the condition may involve lifestyle changes, medication or both, depending on the individual.
Anyone diagnosed with high blood pressure should follow advice from their healthcare professional and should not stop taking prescribed medication without speaking to them.
