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Rachel V Thomas

South Korea Achieves 62% Blood Pressure Control Rate: What Other Countries Can Learn

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">Hypertension</a> remains one of the leading causes of illness and premature death worldwide. Yet a handful of countries have managed to significantly reduce their impact through effective public health strategies.

South Korea—best known globally for K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty—is among just four countries in the world to achieve a hypertension control rate above 50 per cent, joining Canada, Costa Rica, and Iceland.

According to the latest Korea Hypertension Fact Sheet, South Korea's blood pressure control rate has climbed to 62 per cent, making it one of the highest in the world. This means that more than half of people diagnosed with high blood pressure have successfully brought it within a healthy range through treatment.

"The Republic of Korea is one of only four countries in the world that have reached a hypertension control rate above 50 per cent," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a post on X.

Canada, Costa Rica, and Iceland also have hypertension control rates exceeding 50 per cent.

"South Korea continues to demonstrate high performance in hypertension management at the population level, with steady improvements in awareness, treatment, and control," the fact sheet, published in the journal Clinical Hypertension, noted.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/heatwaves-ozone-pollution-driving-heart-and-lung-disease-deaths-in-india-iit-study-article-154645723" data-type="tilCustomLink">Heatwaves, Ozone Pollution Driving Heart And Lung Disease Deaths In India: IIT Study</a>

According to the WHO, South Korea's hypertension control rate was only about 5 per cent two decades ago. Since then, the country has achieved a remarkable turnaround, contributing to an estimated 83 per cent reduction in stroke-related deaths.

“It’s the single most important thing to get right in healthcare… but most countries don’t,” Dr Tom Frieden, president of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative working on global health threats, told The Telegraph. “South Korea is one of the rare successes in the world, on both the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure.”

As per experts, Korea's success is a result of 

<ul><li>targeted salt-reduction campaigns, </li><li>affordable and accessible combination therapies, </li><li>routine screening.</li></ul>A recent article published in The Lancet described South Korea's hypertension management efforts as "a public health success achieved through collaboration between the government, academic societies, and the pharmaceutical industry."

"Globally, every hour, over 1,000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, while hypertension control is one of the most cost-effective interventions in public health. This is why I call on world and health leaders to heed the Republic of Korea's experience," Tedros added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/16-million-indians-die-due-to-hypertension-every-year-aiims-doc-article-154411099" data-type="tilCustomLink">16 Million Indians Die Due To Hypertension Every Year: AIIMS Doc</a>

Prof. Hyeon Chang Kim, Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine, highlighted three key lessons from South Korea's success that other countries can adopt to improve hypertension control.

1. Make Hypertension Control a Health-System Priority

The South Korean experience shows that sustained care, regular follow-up, and strong healthcare systems can significantly improve blood pressure control and reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke.

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The Lancet estimates that approximately 1.7 billion adults worldwide are living with hypertension. However, fewer than 20 per cent have their blood pressure adequately controlled.

Hypertension can quietly damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels for years before symptoms appear. Because it often causes no noticeable signs, many people remain unaware they have the condition.

"Nine out of 10 times, hypertension does not cause symptoms. The only way to detect it is through regular screening," said Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

<h2>How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally</h2>

To help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health, Dr. Roy recommends:

<ul><li>Being physically active for at least 150 minutes per week</li><li>Limiting processed and salty foods</li><li>Staying adequately hydrated, especially during heatwaves</li><li>Following a DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.</li></ul>

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Hypertension remains one of the leading causes of illness and premature death worldwide. Yet a handful of countries have managed to significantly reduce their impact through effective public health strategies.South Korea—best known globally for K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty—is among just four countries in the world to achieve a hypertension control rate above 50 per cent, joining Canada, Costa Rica, and Iceland.According to the latest Korea Hypertension Fact Sheet, South Korea's blood pressure control rate has climbed to 62 per cent, making it one of the highest in the world. This means that more than half of people diagnosed with high blood pressure have successfully brought it within a healthy range through treatment."The Republic of Korea is one of only four countries in the world that have reached a hypertension control rate above 50 per cent," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a post on X.Canada, Costa Rica, and Iceland also have hypertension control rates exceeding 50 per cent."South Korea continues to demonstrate high performance in hypertension management at the population level, with steady improvements in awareness, treatment, and control," the fact sheet, published in the journal Clinical Hypertension, noted.How Did South Korea Achieve It?Also read: Heatwaves, Ozone Pollution Driving Heart And Lung Disease Deaths In India: IIT StudyAccording to the WHO, South Korea's hypertension control rate was only about 5 per cent two decades ago. Since then, the country has achieved a remarkable turnaround, contributing to an estimated 83 per cent reduction in stroke-related deaths.“It’s the single most important thing to get right in healthcare… but most countries don’t,” Dr Tom Frieden, president of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative working on global health threats, told The Telegraph. “South Korea is one of the rare successes in the world, on both the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure.”As per experts, Korea's success is a result of targeted salt-reduction campaigns, affordable and accessible combination therapies, routine screening.A recent article published in The Lancet described South Korea's hypertension management efforts as "a public health success achieved through collaboration between the government, academic societies, and the pharmaceutical industry.""Globally, every hour, over 1,000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, while hypertension control is one of the most cost-effective interventions in public health. This is why I call on world and health leaders to heed the Republic of Korea's experience," Tedros added.What Can Other Countries Learn?Also read: 16 Million Indians Die Due To Hypertension Every Year: AIIMS DocProf. Hyeon Chang Kim, Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine, highlighted three key lessons from South Korea's success that other countries can adopt to improve hypertension control.1. Make Hypertension Control a Health-System Priority2. Invest in Data and Monitoring3. Ensure Long-Term Continuity of CareThe South Korean experience shows that sustained care, regular follow-up, and strong healthcare systems can significantly improve blood pressure control and reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke.Hypertension: The Silent Killer   The Lancet estimates that approximately 1.7 billion adults worldwide are living with hypertension. However, fewer than 20 per cent have their blood pressure adequately controlled.Hypertension can quietly damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels for years before symptoms appear. Because it often causes no noticeable signs, many people remain unaware they have the condition."Nine out of 10 times, hypertension does not cause symptoms. The only way to detect it is through regular screening," said Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.How to Lower Blood Pressure NaturallyTo help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health, Dr. Roy recommends:Being physically active for at least 150 minutes per weekLimiting processed and salty foodsStaying adequately hydrated, especially during heatwavesFollowing a DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

south korea achieves 62% blood pressure control rate: what other countries can learn

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