May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Venezuela

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the main cause of death in Venezuela, and hypertension is the principal risk factor. The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign is a global initiative aimed to raising awareness of hypertension, which has been conducted in Venezuela since 2017. May Measurement Month 2021 included 46 732 participants with a mean age of 56.4 years (SD 14.4), 57.9% of whom were female. The percentage with hypertension was 60.3% (57.9% of females and 63.7% of males), 82.3% (84.8% of females and 79.2% of males) were aware, and 80.2% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 44.2% (41.2% of females and 48.2% of males) were not controlled [blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/≥90 mmHg], with 61.3% receiving one drug, 30.0% two drugs, and 8.7% three or more drugs. 87.5% of those on treatment reported taking it regularly. Conditions associated with higher BP levels include fewer years of education, having a previous diagnosis of hypertension, and women who were hypertensive during a previous pregnancy. Physical activity and pregnancy were conditions associated with lower BP levels. A previous positive COVID-19 test was reported in 11.1%, and one or more COVID-19 vaccinations reported in 22.7% of participants. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 78.8% reported their treatment was not affected by COVID-19. Results are consistent with previous MMM campaigns and indicate that the screening campaign is feasible and useful to identify hypertension even in exceptional conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.