May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Argentina. (20th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salazar, Martin R; Garcia Vazquez, Fortunato; Espeche, Walter G; Marquez, Diego; Becerra, Pedro; Martinez Marissi, Evangelina; Sorasio, Viviana B; Staffieri, Gustavo J; Kalbermatter, Arnoldo; De Cerchio, Alejandro E; Beaney, Thomas; Partington, Giles; Poulter, Neil R; Marín, Marcos J; Ennis, Irene L
• Is Part Of: European heart journal supplements. Volume 23(2021)Supplement B
• Page Start: B12
• Page End: B14
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Blood pressure -- Screening -- Treatment -- Control; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suab055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1520-765X

Abstract

Abstract: The Argentinean Society of Hypertension, in agreement with the May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative of the International Society of Hypertension, implemented for the third consecutive year a hypertension screening campaign. A volunteer cross-sectional survey was carried out in public spaces and health centres during the month of May 2019 across 33 cities in Argentina. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg based on the mean of the second and third BP measurements, or in those on treatment for high BP. A total of 94 523 individuals (53.9 ± 17.8 years old, 55 231women and 39 292 men), were evaluated. The age and sex standardized mean BP was 124.7/77.2 mmHg. Among participants, 34.7% were overweight (25-29.9 m/kg 2 ) and 28.7% had obesity (≥30 m/kg 2 ). Individuals identified as being overweight had BP 3/2 mmHg higher and individuals with obesity 6/4 mmHg higher than those with normal weight. The prevalence of hypertension was 52.5%. Although 81.1% were aware and 77.7% were on antihypertensive treatment, only 46.0% of all individuals with hypertension had their BP controlled. Moreover, 19.8% of those not on any antihypertensive medication were found with raised BP. The low level of control of hypertension generates the critical need for the development of community-based prevention strategies reinforcing strategies to increase the awareness and control of hypertension.