High Blood Pressure: Australia’s #1 Killer
- For the past 30 years, raised blood pressure has been the number one risk factor for death in Australia, according to a study.
- While the impact of raised blood pressure on CVD and mortality has long been recognized,it often lacks prioritization in national health strategies.
- The study found that while the contribution of raised blood pressure to deaths decreased early in the study period, it remained the leading risk factor.
For three decades, high blood pressure has been Australia’s leading killer. A new study underscores this alarming reality, revealing that elevated blood pressure remains the foremost risk factor for death and a primary driver of cardiovascular disease fatalities. Men aged 25-49 face a notably heightened risk of stroke-related deaths linked too this critical health issue.The research, conducted by The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney, analyzed data from 1990-2019 and supports Australia’s National Hypertension Taskforce in its mission to raise blood pressure control to 70% by 2030.This essential data demands urgent public health action, focusing on improved blood pressure management across all demographics, especially among younger men. News Directory 3 recognizes the significance of these findings. Find out how you can improve your and your loved one’s health with our latest reports from this research. Discover what’s next …
High Blood Pressure Remains Top death Risk in Australia
Updated June 15, 2025
For the past 30 years, raised blood pressure has been the number one risk factor for death in Australia, according to a study. The research, led by Alta Schutte and Xiaoyue Xu from The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW, Sydney, also identifies high blood pressure as the primary contributor to deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
While the impact of raised blood pressure on CVD and mortality has long been recognized,it often lacks prioritization in national health strategies. The study focused on Australia, which lags behind other high-income nations in hypertension control. Analyzing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study between 1990 and 2019, researchers assessed leading risk factors associated with all-cause and CVD deaths across genders and age groups.
The study found that while the contribution of raised blood pressure to deaths decreased early in the study period, it remained the leading risk factor. Dietary factors and tobacco use were also notable.These findings support the National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia’s goal to improve blood pressure control rates from 32% to 70% by 2030. The research emphasizes the need to prioritize blood pressure control on the public health agenda to reduce cardiovascular risk.
The study also revealed differences by gender and age. As an example, raised blood pressure contributed more to stroke-related deaths in men aged 25-49 than in other age groups, exceeding 60% and increasing over time. This highlights the importance of blood pressure control and awareness,particularly among younger men.
Researchers hope the data will encourage policymakers to prioritize efforts to control high blood pressure in Australia and provide insight into populations that would benefit from targeted action. Effective blood pressure management is crucial for reducing cardiovascular risk and improving public health outcomes.
What’s next
The study authors advocate for strengthening primary care and improving the prevention, detection, treatment, and control of raised blood pressure. The goal is to significantly reduce all-cause and cardiovascular deaths in Australia over the next decade through improved hypertension management.