This World Heart Day (29th of September), the world recognises hypertension as a key driver of cardiovascular disease with the theme “Don’t skip a Beat”. Despite being highly prevalent, hypertension can be undiagnosed as it is asymptomatic until complications such as a heart attack occurs.

Primary care is fundamental to improve outcomes. Routine blood pressure screening, cardiovascular risk assessments, medication optimisation, and patient education provide valuable opportunities for early intervention. In rural settings, where access to specialist services may be limited, primary care teams play a critical role in ongoing monitoring and long-term management.

Strengthening the systems for hypertension detection and control through evidence-based primary care, such as the World Health Organisation's HEARTS package, can help reduce avoidable hospitalisations, improve cardiovascular outcomes, and address health inequities experienced by rural populations.