One in three Filipino adults aged 30 to 79 is living with hypertension, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest Global Hypertension Report. Of the 16.8 million Filipinos affected, only 19 percent have their condition under control.
Hypertension, often called the “silent killer,” usually has no symptoms until it leads to serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and dementia. The WHO projected that if left unchecked, around 20 million Filipinos could have hypertension by 2030. In 2021 alone, 908,900 deaths in the country were linked to hypertension-related diseases.
Risk Factors Driving the Numbers
The report identified several lifestyle-related risks making Filipinos more prone to hypertension: excessive salt intake, tobacco use, and obesity. In 2021, the average daily salt intake among Filipinos 25 years old and above was 11 grams—more than double the WHO-recommended limit of 5 grams.
By 2022, 31 percent of Filipino adults were obese, while 24 percent of those aged 15 and above were using tobacco products either occasionally or daily. These factors continue to drive high rates of elevated blood pressure nationwide.
A ‘Promising Example’ in Control Efforts
Despite the high prevalence, the WHO cited the Philippines as a “promising example” in advancing hypertension control at the local level. The Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with WHO Philippines, rolled out the Healthy Hearts Philippines Programme in 2018, focusing on integrating hypertension management into primary health care.
While challenges remain—including uneven implementation and limited access to medicines—the program has begun laying the foundation for stronger, more coordinated interventions. The WHO stressed that continued investment in prevention, treatment, and public awareness is crucial in reducing the country’s burden of hypertension.
