High blood pressure is the most common chronic disease in France and a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, Public Health France says. Nearly 30% of adults are hypertensive, or 17 million people, says the health agency, which is based on two surveys in the general population and a survey of a panel of general practitioners and the National Health Data System.
Among patients, only one in four has controlled blood pressure, she continues. And if more than 1.6 million adults start antihypertensive treatment each year, "the Covid-19 crisis has had a significant impact with an 11% drop"