May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Pakistan.

The May Measurement Month (MMM) screening campaigns comprise an opportunistic assessment of the arterial blood pressure (BP) of Pakistani adults (≥18 years old) and evaluate the level of awareness and spectrum of the problem of hypertension and the associated risk factors. The prospective study was carried out in May 2018 in multiple medical screening camps at hospitals, pharmacies, and public areas with the help of local health care workers under ethical guidelines. The volunteers took BP measurements using OMRON digital BP devices, in a seated position, and three successive readings were noted after 5 min rest. The mean values of the second and third readings were attained. Data were analysed centrally by the MMM project management team and multiple imputations were performed, where BP readings were missing. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or in those taking antihypertensive medication. This study included 25 076 participants, of whom 14 726 (58.7%) were hypertensive. Among all hypertensives, only 11 681 were aware of their hypertension status. After imputation, age and gender standardization, mean systolic and diastolic BP were 129.8 mmHg and 82.9 mmHg, respectively. MMM17 data revealed that 55.2% of those screened were hypertensive in Pakistan, while in 2018 the proportion rose slightly to 58.7%. The prevalence of hypertension among those screened for MMM in Pakistan was high in both years. Although most patients with hypertension were treated, the majority remained uncontrolled. Further efforts to improve awareness and control are needed.

May Measurement Month 2017: an analysis of the blood pressure screening campaign results in Pakistan-South Asia.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programs worldwide. Hypertension is a global health concern for developing countries. In Pakistan, apart from few population-based studies which evaluated the prevalence of hypertension, there is no current nationally representative study (the latest nationwide survey was conducted more than two decades ago). Pakistan Hypertension League, in accordance with the International Society of Hypertension directive under the banner of the May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17) campaign, carried out a nationwide cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 in May 2017 through its 14 regional chapters. Blood pressure measurement recorded through digital apparatus, the definition of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg or being on BP-lowering treatment) and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. A total of 5333 individuals were screened during the MMM17 campaign with mean age 45.0 (11.6). Males had a higher rate (66.3%, n = 3536) in those screened than females (33.0%, n = 1757). A total of 55.2% (n = 2943) people had hypertension. This result shows very high rates of hypertension in Pakistani people. Therefore, there is an urgent need for federal implementation of BP screening as well as awareness programs across the nation.