Recommended treatment protocols to improve management of hypertension globally: A statement by Resolve to Save Lives and the World Hypertension League (WHL)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world's leading cause of death, killing 18 million people per year—about one-third of all deaths. Hypertension is the leading cause of CVD and contributes to 10 million deaths per year—the same number of people killed by all infectious diseases combined. Whereas the burden of hypertension and CVD afflict predominantly older aged persons in high-income countries, younger populations are disproportionately affected in low- and middle-income countries. It is estimated that CVD costs 2%-4% of gross national income in these countries.