May Measurement Month 2023 in Croatia, Close to Guinness Record

Objective: According to recent nationwide study EHUH 2 the crude prevalence of hypertension in Croatia is 50.9%. Although significant improvement in treatment and control of hypertension was achieved in last two decades, health literacy is still very poor. May Measurement Month was venue to collect new information which could help us in preparing future public health activities. Design and method: Croatian Hypertension League joined the MMM 2023. We decided to collect data during our permanent public health action – Hunting the Silent Killer, and together with Croatian Pharmacy Chamber to include 329 community pharmacists (still underused health professionals). Most of examinations and measurements were done in local pharmacists (83%). In total 10 488 subjects were examined (64% women, average age 58 ys), and in 8614 blood pressure (BP) was measured three times (average value od 2nd and 3rd measurement was used for analyses-132.6/79.1 mmHg and 75.7 b/min). All measurements were done using the same BP device (Microlife BP B3). Results: A high number of subjects was diagnosed with high BP before action (41.3%), and 14% did not know whether they have hypertension. BP was measured never or before than 12 months in 15.4%. The average number of antihypertensive drugs was 1.8. Surprisingly, only 5.2% answered that they often forget or took drugs only when they needed it. There were 19.9% smokers and 16.3% ex-smokers. We found 3% to vape, but also there were 2.9% ex-vapers. No physical activity was reported by 43.3%. Alcohol was consumed daily or at least once per week in 11.2%. Low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) was reported by 9% of participants. Conclusions: Data we have collected during MMM action are very valuable, albeit some answers probably do not reflect the truth. One of the greatest achievements was establishment of community pharmacists network what is in line with our aim of including pharmacists more in treatment of hypertension and all other chronic non-communicable diseases. Acknowledgement: We are thankful to Salvus Microlife for donation of BP devices