Population Burden of Hypertension and Its Coexistence With Coronary Heart Disease in Poland

Objective: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD). Assessing its population burden and the extent of its coexistence with CHD is crucial for planning effective preventive strategies, particularly in ageing European societies. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension in Poland between 2018 and 2022 and to determine the frequency of coexisting coronary heart disease in this population. Design and method: We performed a nationwide analysis using administrative data from the National Health Fund, covering all publicly financed healthcare services in Poland. Hypertension was identified based on ICD-10 codes I10–I15, and coronary heart disease on codes I20–I25. Analyses were conducted for the entire Polish population with recorded diagnoses during the study period. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, the number of individuals with diagnosed hypertension ranged from 10.9 to 11.0 million. Among children (=65 years (43.2%). CHD prevalence was comparable in men and women (28.31% vs. 28.38%; p=NS). Conclusions: In 2022, nearly 11 million individuals in Poland had diagnosed hypertension, and more than 3 million of them were also affected by coexisting coronary heart disease. These findings demonstrate the substantial population burden of hypertension and its cardiovascular consequences, underscoring the need for strengthened preventive strategies across Europe. In the context of demographic ageing and increasing multimorbidity, integrating hypertension management into broader cardiovascular prevention frameworks remains a key public health priority.