South Africa’s Silent Health Crisis: Nearly Half of Adults Living with Hypertension
Why More South Africans Are Being Encouraged to “Own Their Number” This World Hypertension Month
Hypertension has quietly become one of South Africa’s most urgent public health threats, affecting nearly half of all adults, increasingly impacting younger people, and often remaining undiagnosed until a life-threatening emergency occurs. As the country marks World Hypertension Month 2026, healthcare experts are intensifying calls for South Africans to “Own Their Number” by understanding, monitoring, and actively managing their blood pressure before serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, or kidney failure develop.
Recent 2026 data indicates that nearly 46% of South African adults are living with hypertension.¹ The condition remains the leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure in the country, and is responsible for one in every two strokes and two in every five heart attacks.², ³
Despite its prevalence, hypertension often develops quietly over time. An estimated 50% of individuals living with hypertension are unaware of their condition, frequently only receiving a diagnosis after experiencing a major health event such as a stroke or heart attack.³
Healthcare experts are also warning that hypertension is increasingly affecting younger South Africans. Rising obesity and lifestyle changes have contributed to an increase in hypertension among individuals aged 18–35, reflecting a growing burden among younger populations.⁵
Beyond mortality, uncontrolled hypertension carries a significant long-term health burden. Patients may experience complications including impaired vision, cognitive decline, and chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. This places additional strain on South Africa’s healthcare system, particularly where co-morbid conditions such as HIV further increase treatment complexity.⁴’⁵
While hypertension management has traditionally relied heavily on clinic-based care, conversations are now increasingly focusing on the importance of patient empowerment and everyday lifestyle management.
Evidence from South African clinical trials, including the IMPACT-BP study, indicates control rates as low as 33% under conventional care. However, when patients are actively supported to manage their condition, control rates can exceed 60%.¹
“We can no longer expect patients to be passive recipients of care,” says Virosha Deonarain, Medical Manager at Servier South Africa. “Achieving health equity in South Africa requires placing greater agency in the hands of individuals. By strengthening health literacy and community engagement, we can bridge the gap between clinical care and everyday life, enabling people to take ownership of their journey towards better health.”
This growing focus on awareness and self-management is encouraging more South Africans to understand and monitor their blood pressure regularly. Conversations around food choices, movement, stress management, routine screening, and consistency are becoming increasingly important in helping individuals better manage hypertension in their daily lives.
As part of World Hypertension Month 2026, Servier South Africa is supporting community screening drives in partnership with local pharmacies, offering free blood pressure testing to encourage greater awareness and early intervention.
The organisation’s “Own Your Number” campaign further aims to reduce the intimidation often associated with hypertension by encouraging regular screening and consistent self-management. By understanding and tracking their blood pressure, individuals are better equipped to take control of their cardiovascular health.
Digital health tools such as My HealthPartner additionally provide personalised, certified content to support healthier lifestyles and improved self-management, while healthcare providers are being trained to adopt a shared decision-making approach that prioritises patient needs and barriers to adherence.
For more information and community screening drives near you, visit www.myhealthpartner.co.za.
References
1. Siedner MJ et al. Home-Based Care for Hypertension in Rural South Africa. N Engl J Med 2025;393:1304–1314. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2509958
2. Health on World Hypertension Day commemoration | South African Government
3. Sobuwa Y. Hypertension, a silent epidemic affecting millions in South Africa. 19 May 2025. Health News
4. Tokwe L, Naidoo JR. Lived experiences of human immunodeficiency virus and hypertension in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2020
5. Goorani S. et al. Hypertension: A Continuing Public Healthcare Issue. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025
