A study reveals that the number of people worldwide suffering from high blood pressure has nearly doubled in the last 4 decades. According to the study published in the Lancet states that the number of people living with high blood pressure or hypertension has grown from 594 million in 1975 to over 1.1 billion in 2015.

However, while average blood pressure is rising in less affluent countries, it has dropped in high-income nations like Canada, United Kingdom and United States.

The authors say the reason for this contrast is not clear, but they suggest a major factor could be that people in wealthier nations enjoy better health overall and eat more fruits and vegetables.

"High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke and heart disease and kills around 7.5 million people worldwide every year," says Prof. Ezzati.

Prof. Ezzati says high blood pressure is no longer a problem associated with wealthy countries but with poor countries. He says their findings show it is possible to achieve substantial reductions in rates of high blood pressure - as seen in the data from more affluent countries over the last 4 decades. He adds:

"High blood pressure is no longer related to affluence - as it was in 1975 - but is now a major health issue linked with poverty."

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