Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure is persistently at or above the maximum 140 and minimum 90 millimeters of mercury range. The disease is referred to as the silent killer as it has very few symptoms, but can cause other serious death-causing illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.

With improved living conditions resulting in an increase in overweight people around the world, it is becoming more important to find an effective treatment for hypertension.

The domestic market for antihypertensive drugs stands at over 1.2 trillion won ($1.07 billion), separate data showed. (Yonhap)