Mission 70/26 Project: Improving Blood Pressure Control in Portugal, the Numbers After One Year of Activity

Objective: To describe the evolution of the proportion of controlled hypertensive patients under Primary Care after one year of the implementation of a multifaceted program. Design and method: We have designed a multifaceted program to promote health literacy and awareness for the prevention, management and control of cardiovascular diseases and health conditions associated with hypertension. The actions are aimed at healthcare professionals and population and includes governmental and organizational intervention. We used the Primary Care national database to address the proportion of hypertensive patients (18-65 years) with blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg and the proportion of hypertensive patients with at least one blood pressure recorded in the last semester. Results: In december 2022 there were 52,8% of patients aged 18-65 years with blood pressure <140/90 mmHg in Primary Care following. In december 2023, this number rised slightly to 55,3%. Along the year there were variations, with a peak control level of 61,5% in september 2023. In this last year there was an increase in the number of observed patients and a reduction in the asymmetry of the geographic distribution of the degree of control. Conclusions: There has been an improvement in the blood pressure control in hypertensive patients under Primary Care since the beginning of the program. A seasonal variation of the control levels were noted which will require a specific approach.