May Measurement Month 2022: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Argentina

Abstract

High blood pressure (BP) continues to be the leading cause of disability and death in the world over the years. With an unacceptably low rate of diagnosis and control, it challenges health systems in most countries. Thus, the Argentine Society of Arterial Hypertension (SAHA), in accordance with the May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative of the International Society of Hypertension, implemented for the sixth consecutive year a high BP detection campaign. A voluntary cross-sectional survey was conducted in public spaces and health centres during the month of May 2022. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP of ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90 mmHg based on the second of two BP measurements, or in those receiving treatment for high BP. In total, 50 746 participants were examined, with a mean age of 54.8 (standard deviation 17.1) and 61.1% of whom were women. Of all participants, 30 361 (59.8%) had hypertension, of which 22 933 (75.5%) were aware, 21 997 (72.4%) were taking antihypertensive medication, and 10 116 (33.3%) were controlled to <140/90 mmHg. The mean BP was 131.7/80.4 (±20.8/±12.7) mmHg. After standardization by age and sex, 23 094 (45.5%) were found to have hypertension, of which 14 270 (61.8%) were aware of it. The poor level of hypertension control that is repeated over the years exposes insufficient efforts and ineffective strategies that should generate different approaches in both the medical field and in the community that reinforce strategies to increase awareness and control of hypertension.

Keywords: High blood pressure; Hypertension.