RESUMEN
Elevated blood pressure (BP) is an enormous public health problem and a growing burden worldwide and the biggest single risk factor for cardiovascular death. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed to raise awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years was carried out in May to July 2019. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. The study was conducted in public areas (23 sites in the capital city Yerevan and 13 in other regions), both indoor and outdoor, as well as in primary and secondary healthcare centres. In total, 9818 individuals (11.3% participated in either MMM2017/2018 or both) were screened of which 9786 had three BP measurements available, 1.6% of them reported never having had their BP measured. The mean age of screened participants was 47.6 (SD ± 16.5) years, 61.9% were female. After multiple imputation, 41.6% of participants had hypertension and 72.8% of them were aware of their high BP, 65.4% were on treatment, and of those treated, 46.5% had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). Of 4088 participants with hypertension, 30.4% had controlled BP. Of all risk factors analysed, reported use of anti-hypertensive medication and a previous diagnosis of hypertension were the strongest predictors of higher levels of BP. We found that the prevalence of hypertension, untreated and treated, but uncontrolled hypertension is still substantial in Armenia, which maybe a vital contributor to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
RESUMEN
Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide and is the leading cause of mortality and disability-adjusted life years all over the world. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed to raise awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May to July 2018. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension (HTN) and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. The study was conducted in public areas (17 sites in Yerevan and 22 in regions), both indoor and outdoor, as well as in 78 primary care centres. A total of 21 112 individuals were screened during MMM18, of which 20 732 had three BP measurements available. The mean age of screened individuals was 46.2 ± 17.3 years, 57.8% were female. At the time of screening, 26.1% were on antihypertensive medication. After imputation, the percentage of participants with HTN was 38.7%, and 76.7% of them were aware of their high BP. Of participants receiving treatment, 47.1% had a controlled BP. MMM18 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Armenia. We found that the proportion of HTN is substantial in Armenia, which may be a vital contributor to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Our results also suggest that untreated HTN is common and when treated still not adequately controlled in Armenia. The current situation, with an insufficient control rate of HTN, must be changed as soon as possible.