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May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Taiwan
Hung-Ju Lin1, Heng-Yu Pan2, Thomas Beaney3,4
1Cardiovascular Center and Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 10002, Taiwan.
Insights
May Measurement Month (MMM) campaigns effectively track hypertension awareness and control. The 2019 campaign in Taiwan showed continued improvement in blood pressure control rates among adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant global health concern.
- Monitoring hypertension awareness and control rates is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Community-based screening programs play a vital role in identifying and managing hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the awareness and control rates of high blood pressure (BP) in Taiwan.
- To monitor trends in hypertension management through the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of community pharmacy-based BP screening.
Main Methods:
- The May Measurement Month (MMM) 2019 campaign involved 643 community pharmacies in Taiwan.
- 24,851 adults aged 20 years and over participated, completing questionnaires and undergoing BP measurements.
- Hypertension was defined as BP ≥140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication; controlled BP was <140/90 mmHg.
Main Results:
- Of 24,851 participants, 12,351 (49.7%) had hypertension.
- Awareness of hypertension was 84.7%, and 82.1% were receiving treatment.
- Overall, 59.2% of hypertensive participants had controlled BP, with 72.0% control in treated individuals.
Conclusions:
- The MMM campaign provides a feasible method for monitoring hypertension awareness and control trends.
- The nationwide screening from 2017-2019 indicates a continuous improvement in hypertension control in Taiwan.
- Community pharmacy-based screening is effective for large-scale hypertension surveillance and management.
Abstract:
To bolster the awareness of high blood pressure (BP) and to monitor the trend of hypertension control rate. Similar to May Measurement Month (MMM) 2017 and 2018 campaigns, we conducted the MMM 2019 campaign in 643 community pharmacies across Taiwan, and recruited adults aged 20 years or over in May and June of 2019. After filling in an anonymous questionnaire regarding medical history and lifestyle habits and having 10-min sitting rest, pharmacists took triplicate upper-arm BP readings on participants using an automated oscillometric sphygmomanometer. The means of the second and third BP readings were used as the screening BP estimates. Hypertension was defined if one of the followings was met: use of antihypertensive medications, systolic BP ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg. Controlled BP was defined as BP of <140/90 mmHg. Of the 24 851 participants enrolled (mean age, 55.8 ± 15.2 years), 12 427 (50.0%) were women. Among 12 351 (49.7%) participants with hypertension, 10 463 (84.7%) were aware of their high BP, and 10 142 (82.1%) received antihypertensive medications. While 59.2% of all hypertensive participants had controlled BP, the BP control rate was 72.0% in treated hypertensive participants. MMM campaigns offer a feasible way to monitor the trends in both awareness and control of hypertension. This nationwide annual BP screening campaign, from 2017 to 2019, demonstrated continued improvement in hypertension control in Taiwan.
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