High blood pressure has emerged as a leading cause of death in Sri Lanka, accounting for nearly 70% of all fatalities nationwide, according to the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Unit of the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon, Director of the NCD Unit, stated that this alarming statistic is based on findings from the latest national survey on non-communicable diseases conducted in 2021.
The survey revealed that 34.8% of the Sri Lankan population currently suffers from high blood pressure.
Dr. Samarakoon highlighted a critical concern, noting that 64% of those diagnosed with high blood pressure are not receiving any form of medication to manage their condition.
“In its early stages, high blood pressure often shows no symptoms. In some cases, a stroke or heart attack may be the first warning sign,” she explained.
She also warned that uncontrolled hypertension is a major risk factor for other serious conditions such as kidney disease.
The Ministry of Health carries out national surveys on non-communicable diseases every five years to track trends and inform public health strategies.
