Lagos study reveals 52.5% hypertension prevalence with low awareness
A 2023 study in Lagos tested 1,500 adults and found that 52.5% had hypertension, with 65.3% unaware of their condition. Only 13.8% were on medication and 8.3% had controlled blood pressure. The findings underscore the need for mass screening, affordable treatment, and improved health systems in Nigeria to address this growing health crisis.
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A recent study conducted in Lagos in 2023 revealed that 52.5% of the 1,500 adults tested had hypertension, a condition defined as blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg. Alarmingly, 65.3% of those with hypertension were unaware of their condition.
Only 13.8% of hypertensive individuals were receiving medication, and a mere 8.3% had their blood pressure under control. This highlights significant gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment.
Hypertension is a major contributor to strokes, heart failure, and cardiac arrests, causing over 10 million deaths globally each year. In Nigeria, the World Health Organization estimates a 36% prevalence among adults, but this study suggests the actual burden may be higher.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need for sustained mass screening efforts, improved access to affordable antihypertensive medications, and stronger health systems to ensure continuity from diagnosis to effective treatment.
Financial barriers also affect treatment adherence, as over half of participants reported paying full medication costs themselves, and some only took medication when symptomatic.
Addressing these challenges is critical to reducing the hypertension burden in Nigeria and preventing millions of premature deaths worldwide by 2050, as targeted by the WHO and World Heart Federation.