Public Awareness and Interest in Hypertension: An Analysis from 2004-2024

Background: Hypertension is a leading global health challenge, associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The Internet serves as a vital resource for individuals seeking health-related information. This study aimed to analyze global and regional Internet search interest in hypertension using Google Trends™, providing insights into public awareness and interest over time. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive Google Trends™ analysis for the search term "Hypertension" and “blood pressure” from January 2004 to March 2024. The investigation included worldwide trends and detailed analyses by country and region within the US. Google Trends™ indices were examined to identify patterns of interest and awareness, with a focus on peak and the lowest points of interest. Results: The analysis demonstrated a statistically significant uptrend in public engagement and awareness concerning "Hypertension" and "Blood Pressure" globally and within the US, as evidenced by the slope analysis (p trends <0.05). February 2023 marked the zenith of global interest, registering a search interest score of 100. The trough of interest was in December 2008, with a score of 40. As of March 2024, the latest interest level was noted at 72. On a regional scale, Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, and Nigeria emerged as the top five countries with most pronounced interest. In the US, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, and Louisiana were the regions with the highest interest. Conclusion: The findings of our study underscore a significant increase in global and regional public interest regarding hypertension. The findings reveal pivotal insights into public health engagement dynamics, demonstrating an overarching trend towards heightened digital information-seeking behavior. The analysis illuminates significant regional disparities in search interest. These regional variations may reflect differing levels of awareness, prevalence, access to information, and the impact of health initiatives.