Mission 70/26 Project: improving blood pressure control in Portugal

As reported in most European countries, the percentage of treated hypertensive patients achieving a well-controlled blood pressure (e.g. < 140/90 mmHg) is insufficient. This represents a major health concern particularly in countries with a high prevalence of cardiovascular events such as stroke. Therefore, there is a need to develop national programs to increase not only the awareness regarding elevated blood pressure but also the percentage of treated patients achieving recommended blood pressure targets. The present paper describes the new initiative of the Portuguese Society of Hypertension (PSH) to achieveat least 70% of controlled hypertensive patients, followed in primary care, in 2026.

The strategies used to improve blood pressure control are aimed at healthcare professionals and general population and include governmental and organizational interventions. To be able to analyze the control rate of HTN patients, and using BI-CSP reports (the Primary Care health unit platform), every six months, we will be addressing the proportion of HTN patients (age: 18-65 years) with BP < 140/90 mmHg and the proportion of HTN patients with at least one blood pressure recorded in the last semester.

With Mission 70/26, the PHS aims to improve awareness among all health professionals and community alike about the problem of uncontrolled HTN and its role in the consequent disability and high mortality rate from cardiovascular causes.