HYPERTENSION AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: A GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGE THAT OFTEN GOES UNNOTICED

Abstract

Raised arterial pressure is among the most influential modifiable causes of cardiovascular illness and death. Many people with high blood pressure feel well, so the condition can remain unrecognised for years while silently harming the heart, blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and other organs. Long-term elevation of blood pressure places continuous strain on the circulation, leading to impaired endothelial function, structural changes in arteries, atherosclerotic plaque development, and damage to target organs. As a result, hypertension raises the likelihood of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease. The worldwide impact is enormous: the World Health Organization estimates that about 1.4 billion adults aged 30–79 years were living with hypertension in 2024, and many were either unaware of their diagnosis or had insufficient blood pressure control. (World Health Organization) Good management depends on correct measurement, early recognition, evaluation of total cardiovascular risk, healthy lifestyle changes, and drug treatment when needed. Modern international guidelines increasingly base decisions on overall cardiovascular risk rather than on blood pressure numbers alone. (Escardio) This review discusses the link between hypertension and cardiovascular risk and stresses the value of prevention, timely diagnosis, and sustained blood pressure control.