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

Abstract

This article presents the findings of the May Measurement Month (MMM) 2023 campaign in Venezuela, conducted to raise awareness about elevated blood pressure (BP). Adults (≥18 years) were recruited through convenience sampling across 98 sites in eight Venezuelan regions, mainly in branches of FARMATODO (82.8%). Three seated BP measurements were obtained from each participant, and a standardized questionnaire collected data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg and/or a diastolic BP ≥90mmHg, or current use of BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on antihypertensive treatment with a BP <140/90mmHg. Of the 56,910 participants screened (mean age: 58.3 years, 57.1% female), 35,384 (62.2%) participants had hypertension, of whom 29,551 (83.5%) were aware of their condition and 29,134 (82.3%) were receiving antihypertensive medication. Among those treated, 17,746 (60.9%) had controlled BP, and among all participants with hypertension, 50.2% had controlled BP. Half (51.4%) of treated individuals were taking one class of drug.

Other cardiovascular risk factors were prevalent: 9.5% of participants reported diabetes (76.4% of whom were also hypertensive), 56.8% were overweight or obese (Body Mass Index ≥25 kg/m2), and 52% reported physical activity less than guideline recommendations. Abdominal obesity was observed in 53.1% of females and 24.3% of males. In conclusion, the MMM23 campaign in Venezuela identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately controlled hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced strategies for BP screening, management, and overall cardiovascular health promotion.