According to the Institute of Public Health (ISHP), 39.1% of Albanians suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, a condition that causes 50% of all heart disease and stroke cases.

The ISHP reports that these figures have been increasing.

May is recognized as the month for raising awareness about blood pressure, as studies show that the majority of people with hypertension are either unaware they have high blood pressure—and therefore untreated—or are under treatment that does not effectively control their condition.

Experts note that individuals with high blood pressure often show no visible symptoms, making blood pressure measurement the only accurate way to detect hypertension.

ISHP data reveals that in 2023, 36.6% of people with hypertension in Albania were unaware of their condition, and 34.7% of those receiving medication were not effectively controlling it.

If diagnosed early, hypertension can be managed through maintaining a healthy lifestyle or with the use of medications to control blood pressure effectively.