High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—is a risk factor for chronic conditions, including stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. This report focuses on the prevalence of high blood pressure by age, sex, socioeconomic status, remoteness area and presents international comparisons.

  • Cat. no: PHE 250
Findings from this report:

  • 1 in 4 (25%) men had measured (or uncontrolled) high blood pressure compared with 1 in 5 (20%) women, in 2017–18

  • The proportion of adults in 2017–18 with measured (or uncontrolled) high blood pressure increased with increasing age.

  • The prevalence of measured (or uncontrolled) high blood pressure has remained stable since 2011–12.

  • In 2017–18, people in the lowest socioeconomic areas had the highest rate of high blood pressure (24%).