May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Italy
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Published on: May 3, 2018
Camilla Torlasco1,2, Andrea Faini1, Martino F Pengo1
1Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Luca Hospital, Piazzale Brescia 20, Milan 20149, Italy.
Insights
May Measurement Month (MMM) in Italy screened over 10,000 individuals, finding 31.1% had high blood pressure (hypertension). Many remained unaware of their condition, highlighting the need for continued public health awareness campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death in Europe, with hypertension being the primary risk factor.
- Despite its significance, hypertension awareness and blood pressure control remain suboptimal.
- Previous May Measurement Month campaigns in Italy showed high prevalence of elevated blood pressure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance public awareness regarding the importance of hypertension management.
- To gather nationwide blood pressure data across Italy.
- To assess the prevalence and awareness of hypertension in a large population sample.
Main Methods:
- An opportunistic, cross-sectional survey conducted in May 2019 as part of the May Measurement Month campaign.
- Inclusion of volunteers aged 18 years and above, screened at multiple sites by healthcare professionals.
- Standardized protocol for blood pressure measurement, hypertension definition, and statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- 10,182 individuals were screened, with a mean age of 58 years and 52.3% females.
- The average blood pressure was 127/78 mmHg.
- Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 31.1% of participants, with 62.1% of those aware of their condition. Diabetes and BMI >25 kg/m² were associated with higher BP; myocardial infarction with lower BP.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully collected nationwide blood pressure data from a large sample, marking the third consecutive year of the campaign.
- High participation rates underscore the effectiveness of health campaigns in raising public health awareness.
- The findings highlight persistent challenges in hypertension awareness and control, necessitating ongoing public health initiatives.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are burdened by high mortality and morbidity, being responsible for half of the deaths in Europe. Although hypertension is recognized as the most important CV risk factor, hypertension awareness, and blood pressure (BP) control are still unsatisfactory. In 2017 and 2018, respectively >10 000 and >5000 individuals took part in the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign in Italy, of whom 30.6% and 26.3% were found to have high BP, respectively. To raise public awareness on the importance of hypertension and to collect BP data on a nation-wide scale in Italy. In the frame of the MMM campaign, an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years was carried out in May 2019. BP measurement, the definition of hypertension, and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Screening was conducted in multiple sites by health personnel. Among the 10 182 people screened (females: 52.3%, mean age 58 ± 16years) mean BP was 127/78 mmHg, and 3171 (31.1%) participants had arterial hypertension, of whom 62.1% were aware of being hypertensive. Diabetes, body mass index >25 kg/m2 were associated with higher BP and previous myocardial infarction with lower BP. For the third consecutive year we collected a nation-wide snapshot of BP control in a large sample of individuals. The high participation, with some yearly fluctuations likely due to the limitations of the sampling technique, confirms the power of this kind of health campaign in reaching a significant number of people to raise awareness on health topics.
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