Authors:

Dr. Ellis S. van Etten

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading preventable cause of death and disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 are living with hypertension, with two-thirds living in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its serious health consequences, 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition, only 42% receive treatment, and just 1 in 5 have their blood pressure adequately controlled.

Often symptomless, hypertension is a major contributor to stroke. In fact, it is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, significantly increasing the likelihood of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes. Effective detection and treatment could prevent millions of strokes each year. Stroke neurologists, in particular, should remain very aware of the impact of high blood pressure on the brain and the treatment consequences—both in terms of stroke prevention and in managing patients with cerebrovascular and cognitive disorders.

The broader impact of high blood pressure is enormous. It is estimated to cause 10.8 million avoidable deaths annually and contributes to 235 million years of life lost or lived with disability. The economic costs for individuals, healthcare systems, and societies are also substantial. Recognising this burden, one of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension significantly between 2010 and 2030.

World Hypertension Day, held each year on 17 May, aims to raise awareness of the importance of blood pressure control. It focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, and proper management of hypertension, and calls for greater attention to improving treatment rates among healthcare professionals.

This is also a moment to remind ourselves, as stroke neurologists, of the critical importance of recognising and managing high blood pressure—not only to prevent stroke, but also to optimise outcomes in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

ESOC is Europe’s leading forum for advances in research and clinical care of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. ESOC 2025 will live up to its expectation, and present to you a packed, high quality scientific programme including major clinical trials, state-of-the-art seminars, educational workshops, scientific communications of the latest research, and debates about current controversies. Learn more.

Key Visual of ESOC 2025 with Messukeskus Helsinki and date