An opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Chile identified hypertension in 44.2% of 2261 participants, of whom 71.0% were aware and only 39.1% had controlled blood pressure.
Cross-Sectional (n=2,261)
Yes
An opportunistic screening campaign in Chile identified a high prevalence of hypertension (44.2%), with suboptimal rates of awareness, treatment, and control.
Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Chile in 2023 to raise awareness of high blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥ 18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at outpatient public health facilities, Universities, and public spaces. 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 a 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, 2261 were screened, with a mean age of 49.9 years and 64.0% were female. Of all participants, 1000 (44.2%) had hypertension, of whom 710 (71.0%) were aware, and 678 (67.8%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 391 (57.7%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 39.1% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Chile identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. These results are consistent with the national health survey and should inform national policies aimed at screening and improving hypertensive control.
Laņas et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=2,261). Opportunistic blood pressure screening was evaluated on Hypertension prevalence. An opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Chile identified hypertension in 44.2% of 2261 participants, of whom 71.0% were aware and only 39.1% had controlled blood pressure.