RESUMEN
A worldwide screening initiative called May Measurement Month is held every year with the goal of raising both public and individual awareness of checking blood pressure (BP) and its control. A total of 11 366 volunteer adults (≥18 years) were screened in Pakistan. The mean age of the study population was 47.1 ± 13.2 years and 83.8% were male. Of the 6615 (58.2%) participants with hypertension, 69.1% were aware and 4233(64.0%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of all participants on antihypertensive medication, 41.9% had controlled BP (140/90â mmHg). Of participants with hypertension, only 26.8% had controlled BP. Of the 7133 participants not on antihypertensive medication, 2382 (33.4%) were found to be hypertensive. In Pakistan, the proportion of hypertension and uncontrolled BP remains high, suggesting a widespread lack of adopting healthy lifestyle choices, sufficient healthcare facilities, awareness of checking their BP, and also inadequate management of hypertension.
RESUMEN
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 ≥140â mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90â 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 129.8â mmHg and 82.9â 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.