May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from a suburban community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hypertension remains the most powerful contributor to the global morbidity and mortality. May Measurement Month (MMM), a worldwide screening campaign initiated by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), is organized annually to increase awareness of high blood pressure (BP). We screened 20 913 adult (≥18 years) residents of suburb hamlets of Mbujimayi (mean age 35.1 ± 15.1 years; Black ethnicity: 98.8%; women: 29.6%; diabetes: 1.6%; alcohol drinkers: 16.8% and smokers: 6.7%, previous myocardial infarction: 1.4%; stroke: 0.8%; taking aspirin: 3.2%; taking statins: 1.9%). Three sitting BP readings were taken, and hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Half of the participants had never had their BP checked, whilst 4.2% of respondents had participated in the MMM19 campaign. 0.9% and 1.7% reported COVID-19 vaccination and positive test, respectively. After multiple imputation of missing BP readings, 14.0% of respondents had hypertension of which 35.8% were aware, 28.0% were on antihypertensive medication and 14.1% had controlled BP. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 40.4% were on monotherapy, 37.2% adhered to taking their medication regularly, and 50.4% had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). In regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and antihypertensive treatment, smoking was associated with lower systolic BP, having more years of education was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP, and physical activity was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP. This campaign contributes somewhat to reducing the 'black hole' on the prevalence of hypertension in DRC pending systematic countrywide BP screening.

The Impact of hs-CRP on Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed determinants of serum hs-CRP level in pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCs) and its impact on their atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk.METHODS: We obtained serum hs-CRP measurements, evaluated traditional cardiovascular risk factors and assessed global ASCVD risk based on 2018 ESH/ESC guidelines. Elevated hs-CRP was hs-CRP values > 3 mg L1. Determinants of elevated hs-CRP were assessed using stepwise logistic regression analysis. We used the net reclassification method to evaluate the impact of hs-CRP levels on global ASCVD risk.RESULTS: Of the 335 subjects (mean age 45.4 11.6 yr, 70% pilots, 99% men, 37% Caucasians), 127 individuals (39.5%) presented with elevated hs-CRP levels. Compared to those with normal hs-CRP, individuals with elevated hs-CRP were older with faster heart rate and higher blood pressure, BMI, and P wave amplitude. The proportion of individuals with elevated hs-CRP was greater among those with smoking habits, physical inactivity, MetS, tachycardia, altered P wave axis, LVH, and HT-TOD. Aging (aOR 2.15 [1.676.98]), hypertension (aOR 3.88 [2.296.58]), type 2 diabetes (aOR 6.71 [1.7710.49]), tachycardia (aOR 2.03 [1.914.53]), and LVH (aOR 2.13 [1.647.11]) were the main factors associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Low, moderate, high, and very high risk were observed in 24 (15%), 68 (41%), 62 (37%), and 12 (7%) subjects, respectively. Including hs-CRP resulted in the net reclassification of 25% of subjects, mostly from moderate to high risk.CONCLUSION: The integration of hs-CRP improved the estimation of global ASCVD risk stratification. However, a survey with a comprehensive population assessing the cost/benefit impact of such a referral is needed.Buila NB, Ntambwe ML, Mupepe DM, Lubenga YN, Bantu J-MB, Mvunzi TS, Kabanda GK, Lepira FB, Kayembe PK, Ditu SM, MBuyamba-Kabangu J-R. The impact of hs-CRP on cardiovascular risk stratification in pilots and air traffic controllers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(11):886891.