World Blood-Pressure Awareness Varies

Younger, unmarried men are the least likely group in the world to be aware if they have high blood pressure, a new study finds. They’re also least likely to get treatment. Rural residents of low-income countries also were less likely to know they had high blood pressure or to get treated. The study included 150,000 people. They were from 17 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. People were given blood pressure tests. Just over half of those from high-income countries who had high blood pressure were aware of it. Awareness was similar in rural and urban areas. But in low-income countries, rural residents were less aware. Fewer than half of those who had high blood pressure realized it. In high-income countries, just under half of those who had high blood pressure got treatment. In rural areas of low-income countries, only one-fourth got treatment.