May Measurement Month 2022: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Mexico

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was carried out in Mexico in 2022 with the aim of raising awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Here, we report on the findings of the campaign. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited opportunistically at first-contact health centres in several states of the Mexican Republic. Three seated BP readings were taken for each participant, along with the completion of a questionnaire on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on antihypertensive medication with a BP < 140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate any missing BP readings. In total, 41 953 adults were screened, with a mean age of 48.5 years and 58.2% were female. Of all participants, 16 888 (40.3%) had hypertension, of whom 14 465 (85.7%) were aware, and 14 265 (84.5%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 9712 (68.1%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 57.5% had controlled BP. In total, 7176 (17.1%) had either untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In conclusion, the MMM campaign in Mexico in 2022 identified significant numbers of participants with either untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Among those on antihypertensive medication, only two-thirds of them achieved controlled BP levels, despite receiving their medication at no direct cost to them, suggesting a significant problem of medical inertia.