Page 20 - BOPHELO - Life - 2026

Addressing

Hypertension in Africa

Through Context-

Responsive Research

The Growing Challenge

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of Part of the challenge is that hypertension is often treated
Africa’s most widespread health problems. Across the based on guidelines developed outside Africa, in Europe
continent, rates are rising, and in South Africa, roughly or North America. While these guidelines are scientifically
one in three adults has elevated blood pressure. Many sound in their original settings, they may not work as well
people do not know they have the condition, and even for African populations. People of African ancestry often
fewer receive effective treatment. This combination of develop high blood pressure earlier and experience
high prevalence and low awareness puts individuals at more severe complications. Some commonly prescribed
risk for stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and other medicines, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, may
serious complications. be less effective as first-line treatments, leaving patients
cycling through multiple drugs without optimal control.

18 THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL