May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results in Georgia.

May Measurement Month (MMM) is aimed at raising public awareness about arterial hypertension-the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in the population. Screening was carried out at 200 sites on a national scale. More than 500 volunteers, including doctors (80%) and medical students (20%) participated in the screening. To familiarize them with the research tools and standard blood pressure (BP) measurement method, their training was conducted by the Georgian Society of Hypertension in Tbilisi and other large cities. Social and mass media, medical societies, and other stakeholders were actively involved in the recruitment process. A total of 10 756 people were screened. The mean age of participants was 53.1 years (SD 16.1). Males-67.9%, females-32.1%. One hundred percent were White. After multiple imputation, the number of hypertensive patients was 6.037 (56.1%) and out of them 4950 were aware and 4701 (77.9%) were on medication, 1336 (22.1%) were not taking a medication. Of those taking antihypertensive medication, 38.2% had controlled BP. In spite of non-randomized selection and certain restrictions with respect to extrapolation of the results, MMM comprehensively reflects an urgent problem and major gaps in the health system. Based on the above, its importance is extremely valuable for identifying public health policy priorities.

Gender Differences in Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: From Lipids to Clinical Outcomes.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main reasons of death and morbidity in the world. Both women and men have high rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, although gender-related differences in mortality and morbidity rates are observed in different age groups of the population. In the large cohort of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), systemic hypertension, and valvular heart disease are particularly common in the population. CVDs caused by atherosclerosis are in the first place in terms of frequency, that is why society is particularly interested in this problem. The development and course of atherosclerotic processes associated with lipid and other metabolic changes are characterized by a long latent period, the clinical manifestation is often an acute vascular catastrophe, which can lead to human disability and death. Differences associated with sex are observed in the clinical course and manifestations, which raises the suspicion that gender influences processes related to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) includes two main most dangerous clinical manifestations: IHD and cerebrovascular disease (mainly ischemic stroke). Other less common clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis include aortic atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular disease. Gender-related differences were also identified concerning these diseases. The present review discusses the effects of gender and age on atherosclerotic processes, disease development, and clinical manifestations. The metabolic basis for the development of atherosclerosis appears to be related to sex hormones. Thus this issue is interesting and useful for doctors of different specialties.