Hypertension prevalence in the Asia-Pacific region: a systematic analysis of population-based studies

Background: A large proportion of the world population lives in the Asia-Pacific region where uncontrolled hypertension impacts global trends. This study aimed to summarise age-adjusted prevalence estimates of hypertension in the region to project the future burden of the disease to 2030.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed®, Web of Science®, SCOPUS®, and Embase®, alongside manual reference reviews, to identify studies from 2001 to 2023 in the Asia-Pacific region. Inclusion criteria required standardised blood pressure measurement, population-based data, and definitions of hypertension as systolic and diastolic ≥140/90 mmHg, or antihypertensive use. The hypertension prevalence was determined based on the identified studies. Within countries, the linear regression of age-standardised prevalence estimates predicted trends in hypertension prevalence to 2030.Results: 285 population-based studies were included. Age-specific and crude hypertension prevalence estimates from 19 countries were used to estimate predicted values. The estimated age-standardised prevalence of hypertension in 2030 ranged from 11.0% to 46.2% and was projected to increase in most countries. The exceptions were Iran, Nepal, and Mongolia, which were estimated to achieve 30% reduction in hypertension relative to 2010. Six countries were estimated to have reductions in prevalence by 2030, but without achieving the WHO goal of 30% reduction relative to 2010.Conclusion: The hypertension prevalence has been increasing in most countries. Only three countries are projected to achieve their target goal by 2030. Initiatives to strengthen primary prevention and treatment, along with consistent measurement of population blood pressure in this region, should remain important agenda items for policy makers.