Key result
Nationwide screening identifies hypertension in ~63% of adults, with substantial rates of uncontrolled disease.
Cross-Sectional (n=2,711)
Yes
Signals persistent detection and control gaps in Austria; leaves open optimal screening strategies pending prospective validation.
Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programs worldwide. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May 2017. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension (HTN), and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. In total, 2711 individuals (58.6% female) were screened during MMM17 in 56 centres. After multiple imputation, 1704 (62.9%) had HTN (≥140/90 mmHg). Of individuals not receiving antihypertensive medication, 764 (43.2%) were hypertensive. Of individuals receiving antihypertensive medication, 597 (63.5%) had uncontrolled BP. MMM17 was one of the largest BP screening campaigns undertaken in Austria. A large number of undiagnosed hypertensives was found and connected to a therapeutic strategy. An alarming number of uncontrolled but treated hypertensives should attract the attention of doctors and health care system in Austria.
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Perl et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=2,711). Blood pressure screening was evaluated on Proportion of individuals with hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg). In a nationwide screening of 2,711 volunteers in Austria, 62.9% had hypertension, including 43.2% of untreated individuals who were newly detected and 63.5% of treated individuals who remained uncontrolled.
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