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May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Bulgaria
Arman Postadzhiyan1, Yoto Yotov2, Snejanka Tisheva-Gospodinova3
1Department of Cardiology, Medical University, Saint Anna University Hospital, 1, D. Mollov str, Sofia 1784, Bulgaria.
Insights
High blood pressure (BP) affects over 74% of Bulgarians screened in May Measurement Month (MMM21). This screening highlights the critical need for hypertension awareness and management programs in Bulgaria.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Bulgaria, with a rate twice the EU average.
- Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative to raise awareness of high BP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the results of Bulgaria's participation in the May Measurement Month (MMM) 2021 campaign.
- To assess the prevalence of hypertension and BP control in the Bulgarian population.
- To highlight the importance of BP screening programs.
Main Methods:
- The study followed the standard MMM protocol for data collection and statistical analysis.
- Screening was conducted at 155 sites across 16 administrative districts in Bulgaria.
- Hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or current use of BP-lowering medication.
Main Results:
- Out of 3908 individuals screened, 2896 (74.1%) had hypertension.
- Among those with hypertension, 76.4% were on treatment, but only 48.5% had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg).
- Men exhibited higher rates of undiagnosed hypertension and lower BP control compared to women.
Conclusions:
- The results underscore the significant burden of hypertension in Bulgaria.
- BP screening programs are crucial for identifying individuals with newly diagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension.
- Targeted interventions are needed to improve hypertension awareness and management, particularly for men.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is not only the leading cause of mortality in Bulgaria, but the associated mortality rate is twice the European Union average, so screening programmes that identify subjects with elevated blood pressure (BP) are of utmost importance. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global initiative that began in 2017 that aims to raise awareness of high BP. Bulgaria first joined the third campaign of MMM in 2019, and an overview of the results of Bulgarian participation in MMM21 is presented in this paper. Hypertension was defined as receiving BP-lowering medications or having a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg. Statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. In Bulgaria, 155 screening sites were set up in primary and secondary care facilities, in pharmacies, and outdoor spaces across 16 administrative districts. Out of 3908 individuals screened, 2896 participants (74.1%) had hypertension. Of 2896 participants with hypertension, 76.4% were on treatment of whom 48.5% had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). Out of 1696 participants not on antihypertensive medication, 684 (40.3%) had elevated BP. Men were found to have higher rates of undiagnosed hypertension and lower rates of control than women. By identifying almost two-thirds of the whole screened cohort with the possibility of newly diagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension, our results confirm the importance of BP screening.
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