Experts have raised concerns over the increasing burden of hypertension in Nigeria, stating that over 80 million Nigerians are living with the condition, with many cases remaining undiagnosed and untreated. They warned that ignorance, stress, obesity, high sodium consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and economic hardship are fueling the spike in hypertension cases and the surge in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and other cardiovascular diseases, describing the situation as a serious public health crisis.
According to the Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS), between 30 and 40 percent of Nigerian adults now live with high blood pressure, with many cases undiagnosed and untreated. The Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) reported that over 80 million Nigerians are hypertensives. The NCS revealed that studies show only 60 percent of Nigerians with hypertension are aware of their condition, while only 33 percent are receiving treatment, and just about 10 percent have their blood pressure under control.
Hypertension, commonly referred to as a “silent killer,” remains the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide, with an estimated 1.4 billion people living with the disease globally, according to the World Health Organization. Uncontrolled high blood pressure claims more than 10 million lives yearly. Despite the availability of effective and affordable treatments, many people are unaware of their condition, and only about one in four people with hypertension have their blood pressure adequately controlled.
Hypertension, also called systemic hypertension, is a clinical condition that occurs when blood pressure is persistently elevated above 140/90 mmHg. Experts described it as a silent killer because it is often asymptomatic until complications such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney disease develop. The experts identified genetic factors, unhealthy diets including excessive salt consumption, diets high in saturated and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and obesity as major risk factors for hypertension and associated diseases.
They noted that lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy low-salt diet, losing weight, engaging in physical activity, and quitting tobacco can help lower blood pressure. Speaking on this year’s World Hypertension Day theme: “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer,” Director of Hypertension at the NHF, Prof. Austine Obasohan, said not less than 80 million Nigerians are hypertensive. “The burden of hypertension in Nigeria is immense. Current estimates show that 30 to 40 percent of Nigerians are hypertensive. Considering a population of over 200 million, that would be nothing less than 80 million people. We are approaching 100 million hypertensive people. That is a huge burden,” he said.
Obasohan explained that hypertension often runs in families and that genetic factors are increasingly being linked to the disease. “It is called essential hypertension because the exact cause is unknown. We only know the factors associated with it. Family history is a major factor. Increased body weight, high salt consumption, preserved foods such as sausages and corned beef, and stressful lifestyles are also linked to hypertension,” he said. He noted that Nigeria is witnessing high rates of stroke, heart attack, and other hypertension-related complications because many people either do not know they have the disease or fail to control it. “One third of people with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition, one third of those aware are not taking drugs, and one third of those on treatment are not well controlled,” he added.
Obasohan advised Nigerians above 40 years to check their blood pressure at least once or twice yearly. On the safety of anti-hypertensive drugs, he said newer medications are becoming safer with fewer side effects. “If a patient experiences side effects, doctors can adjust the medications. Generally, the benefits outweigh the risks,” he said. President of the NCS, Prof. Anthony Odili, described the rising incidence of hypertension in Nigeria as alarming, noting that about four in every 10 Nigerian adults are hypertensive. Odili said poor awareness and low treatment compliance remain major concerns. “Among those aware, drug compliance is poor and many people stop taking their medications after a while. The major driver of stroke and heart failure is hypertension,” he said.
He attributed the rise in hypertension cases to obesity, sedentary lifestyle, low awareness, and increased anxiety arising from the economic situation. Odili called for stronger primary healthcare systems to provide hypertension services and urged government support for the Drug Revolving Fund to make anti-hypertensive drugs more accessible and affordable. He also advised Nigerians to check their blood pressure regularly, avoid sedentary lifestyles, increase physical activity, eat healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables, reduce alcohol intake, and stop smoking.
Consultant Cardiologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and senior lecturer at the Lagos State College of Medicine, Dr. Adeola Ajibare, also expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of hypertension and its complications in Nigeria. Ajibare noted that the situation is worsened by brain drain and manpower shortages in the healthcare sector. “The rise in cases may be directly related to increased risk factors such as stressful lifestyles, smoking, excessive alcohol use, unhealthy diets high in salt and cholesterol, lack of exercise, poor sleep quality, obesity, advancing age, and male gender,” he said.
He stressed that hypertension often presents no symptoms until complications such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney disease occur. Ajibare warned that the rising cost of medications, coupled with poor earnings, could worsen hypertension management outcomes because many Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for healthcare. “Many patients prioritize feeding over medications because hypertension is usually asymptomatic. Some even ration their drugs to make them last longer, which may increase complication rates,” he explained.
He identified challenges affecting hypertension management in Nigeria as including lack of awareness, poor compliance with medications and lifestyle changes, financial constraints, brain drain among healthcare workers, inadequate recreational facilities, weak food labeling enforcement, and poor regulation against quackery. Ajibare advised Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles, including regular exercise lasting at least 30 minutes daily, eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing salt and alcohol intake, avoiding oily foods, quitting smoking, and undergoing regular medical check-ups.
He urged patients not to stop medications because of the fear of side effects. “The danger of hypertension complications is far worse than the side effects of medications. If side effects occur, doctors can switch the medications,” he said. Ajibare also called on the government to implement stricter policies on processed foods, salt, sugar, and alcohol regulation, improve access to medications, and prioritize the welfare of healthcare workers.
