Research Highlights:
Embargoed until 10:15 a.m. ET/9:15 a.m. CT, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
Arlington, Va., Oct. 11, 2026 — Effective management of high blood pressure could prevent more than 518,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease around the world, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 . The meeting is in Arlington, Virginia, October 7-11, 2026, and is the premier scientific exchange focused on recent advances in basic and clinical research on high blood pressure and its relationship to cardiac and kidney disease, stroke, obesity and genetics.
Untreated high blood pressure can cause blood vessel damage including narrowing of the arteries and aneurysm, and lead to many heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, enlarged left heart and metabolic syndrome. High blood pressure is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can affect adults in all age groups. Based on the American Heart Association’s 2025 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults , the treatment goal for adults with hypertension is less than 130/80 mm Hg.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for roughly three out of five deaths globally, and approximately 73% of these deaths occur in low- or middle-income countries. CVD accounts for more of these deaths than other chronic health conditions such as diabetes , cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses.
“In this study, we analyzed existing data to assess if expanding use of NCD preventive healthcare services across 20 countries worldwide could reduce cardiovascular death. We found that expanding treatment of high blood pressure to more people prevented the most deaths, followed by more broad use of statin medications for high cholesterol and managing blood sugar in people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes,” said Scott Pilla, M.D., M.H.S., an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. “While there were substantial gaps in the use of preventive healthcare services for these conditions in all countries, lower-middle-income countries had large opportunities for improvement, with low rates of hypertension control and high cholesterol management and minimal use of cancer screening tests.”
What are the study’s key findings?
“This modeling analysis offers important information on the potential global impact of high blood pressure and, importantly, the opportunity to, with treatment, reduce the number of deaths due to high blood pressure-related conditions. Previous research has confirmed that following the evidence-based recommendations in the latest guideline can reduce the risk of death from high blood pressure and also reduce the risk of other serious conditions, such as heart failure, stroke and dementia,” said Chair of the American Heart Association’s 2025 guideline writing committee Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA . “Treatment of high blood pressure to goal leads to longer lives and also healthier lives. This study should inspire clinicians and patients to give more attention to appropriate management of high blood pressure using both lifestyle measures and medication.” Jones, who was not involved in this study, is also a past volunteer president of the American Heart Association (2007-2008) and is dean and professor emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi.
What are the details, background, design and limitations of the study?
Note: This abstract will be presented in an oral presentation at 10:15 a.m. ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Co-authors, their disclosures and funding sources are listed in the abstract.
Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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The American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 is a premier scientific conference dedicated to recent advancements in both basic and clinical research related to high blood pressure and its connections to cardiac and kidney diseases, stroke, obesity and genetics. The primary aim of the meeting is to bring together interdisciplinary researchers from around the globe and facilitate engagement with leading experts in the field of hypertension. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the latest research findings and build lasting relationships with researchers and clinicians across various disciplines and career stages. Follow the conference on X using the hashtag #Hypertension26 .
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.