An opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Italy identified hypertension in 50.6% of 2,492 adults, with only 45.2% of hypertensive individuals achieving blood pressure control.
Cross-Sectional (n=2,492)
Yes
Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Italy in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥ 18 years were recruited through convenience sampling. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP 140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 2492 were screened, with a mean age of 58.7 years and 52.6% were female. Their mean BP was 128.4/77.8 mmHg. Globally, 1260 participants (50.6%) had hypertension, of whom 946 (75.1%) were aware, and 885 (70.2%) were on antihypertensive medication. Among treated individuals, 64.3% had controlled BP; of all participants with hypertension, 45.2% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Italy identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension and a high prevalence of lifestyle-related cardiometabolic risk factors. Awareness-raising campaigns that educate and empower patients are essential for effective cardiovascular prevention.
Pinto et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=2,492). Opportunistic blood pressure screening was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension. An opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Italy identified hypertension in 50.6% of 2,492 adults, with only 45.2% of hypertensive individuals achieving blood pressure control.