May Measurement Month 2019: blood pressure screening results from Chile

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hypertension is a leading preventable cause of global mortality.
• May Measurement Month (MMM) is a worldwide initiative to increase awareness and detection of high blood pressure.
• Effective hypertension management is crucial for reducing cardiovascular disease burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of hypertension and its control status in Chile during May Measurement Month 2019.
• To identify gaps in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control within the Chilean population.
• To evaluate the potential of opportunistic screening programs for improving hypertension management.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey conducted in May 2019 across Chile, involving participants aged 18 years and older.
• Screening utilized the May Measurement Month protocol for blood pressure measurement and hypertension categorization.
• Hypertension defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or current antihypertensive medication use.

Main Results:

• Overall hypertension prevalence was 35.4% after multiple imputations, with 65.9% of these individuals aware of their condition.
• Among diagnosed hypertensives, 60.1% were on medication, but only 34.4% achieved controlled blood pressure.
• A significant proportion of untreated participants (17.9%) were newly identified as hypertensive, and 39.9% of all hypertensive individuals remained untreated.

Conclusions:

• The May Measurement Month 2019 survey revealed a substantial burden of hypertension in Chile, with suboptimal blood pressure control.
• A significant gap exists in both treatment initiation and control among hypertensive individuals.
• Opportunistic screening programs like MMM show promise as a valuable tool for enhancing hypertension detection and management in Chile.