What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension (n=6653). Intervention: Opportunistic blood pressure screening. Primary outcome: Hypertension prevalence and control.

What does this research mean for the field?

Among adults in South Africa, there is a high prevalence of hypertension (37.6%) characterized by low awareness (46.8%) and poor overall blood pressure control (25.3%), particularly highlighting a significant burden of unmanaged hypertension in young adults. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The campaign aimed to raise awareness of hypertension and its management among adults in South Africa.

July 26, 2026European Heart Journal SupplementsOpen Access

May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in South Africa

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Key result

Opportunistic BP screening identifies ~38% hypertension prevalence with poor overall BP control.

n=6,653

Why the study?

The May Measurement Month campaign aimed to raise awareness of raised blood pressure in South Africa.

Population

6,653 adults aged ≥18 years screened in South Africa

Design

Opportunistic cross-sectional screening campaign

Authors

AWAngela J. WoodiwissUniversity of the Witwatersrand LWLisa J. WareSouth African Medical Research Council AKAndrea Kolkenbeck‐RuhSouth African Medical Research Council

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Highlights untreated hypertension burden via opportunistic screening; leaves open need for systematic programs pending controlled trials.

Key Points

The campaign aimed to raise awareness of hypertension and its management among adults in South Africa.
Recruitment via convenience sampling in diverse community settings.
Three seated blood pressure readings taken; data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities collected.
Multiple imputation used to estimate missing blood pressure readings.
Out of 6,653 participants screened, 37.6% had hypertension.
Only 46.8% of those with hypertension were aware of their condition.
Among those on antihypertensive medication, only 57.7% had controlled blood pressure.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=6,653)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

6,653 adults aged ≥18 years in South Africa screened for hypertension via convenience sampling.

Exposure

Opportunistic blood pressure screening (May Measurement Month 2023 campaign)

Outcome

Prevalence of hypertension (BP ≥140/90 mmHg or on medication), awareness, treatment, and control rates

Opportunistic screening in South Africa revealed a high prevalence of hypertension (37.6%) in a young adult population, with low rates of awareness (46.8%) and control (25.3%).

Cite This Study

Woodiwiss et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=6,653). Opportunistic blood pressure screening was evaluated on Hypertension prevalence and control. An opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in South Africa identified a 37.6% prevalence of hypertension among 6,653 adults, with only 25.3% of hypertensive individuals having controlled BP.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a65a962d3aea3239cd79395 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suag099

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May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in South Africa

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in South Africa

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider