Jul 2026· Canadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada· Vol 159· 2 citations· 13 references
TL;DR
The large number of participants with elevated BP and known hypertension and/or diabetes suggests that improvements are needed in the primary health care setting to support patients in reaching their BP targets.
Abstract
May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual, global blood pressure (BP) screening campaign that aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with hypertension. During MMM 2024, community pharmacies across Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) participated in the initiative, contributing BP screening data to local, national, and international research efforts. The primary objective of this study was to assess the local burden of elevated BP among those with and without known hypertension.
This cross-sectional study followed a modified version of the MMM protocol. All consenting adults 18 years or older were eligible to participate. Data were collected at 25 community pharmacies in NL. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data; logistic regression was used to identify associations between elevated BP and selected covariates.
Among 220 participants (mean age 53.3 ± 17.8 years), 68.2% were female, and 40.9% had known hypertension. Analysis included 208 participants with 3 BP readings. Elevated BP was observed in 25.5%, including 18.3% without known hypertension and 36.9% taking antihypertensives. Body mass index and diabetes were statistically significant predictors of elevated BP in the multivariate model.
The proportion of participants in this study with elevated BP exceeds national statistics. The large number of participants with elevated BP and known hypertension and/or diabetes suggests that improvements are needed in the primary health care setting to support patients in reaching their BP targets.
Community pharmacists in NL uncovered large numbers of patients with elevated BP as part of MMM 2024, demonstrating the success of this community-based initiative.
The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at participated hospitals/clinics, chain of pharmacies and selected out-reach community events throughout the country. 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 ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 77,008 adults were screened, with a mean age of 37.8 years and 47.3% were female. Of all participants, 14,912 (19.4%) had hypertension, of whom 7,799 (52.3%) were aware, and 7,408 (49.7%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 4,222 (57.0%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 28.3% had controlled BP. Females showed better awareness and BP control than males.
MMM23 highlights a substantial burden of hypertension in the UAE, with many individuals untreated or inadequately controlled. These findings reinforce the value of large-scale screening and the need for targeted public health strategies to improve hypertension detection, treatment, and control.
Buthaina A Bin Belaila, T. Beaney, G. Kerr et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
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.
M. J. Armas-Hernández, Mónica L Gúzman-Franolic, T. Beaney et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
The MMM campaign in Vietnam identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension, which underscores the urgent need for strengthened national strategies to improve hypertension screening, treatment accessibility, and long-term blood pressure control.
M. Van, Viet Nguyen Lan, Son Tran Kim et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
The MMM campaign in Oman identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension, highlighting the need for broader community screening, targeted educational initiatives, and system-level strategies to improve hypertension control and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Mahfoudha Al Shezawi, Saed Al Bimani, Asaad Al Toubi et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
The MMM campaign in Nepal identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension, and the need to strengthen community-based programs to enhance the continuum of hypertension detection and management is highlighted.
Zhengbang Yao, Y. Inagaki, S. Koirala et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
The MMM campaign in Thailand identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension, which means strategies to deliver early and effective BP control must be emphasized.
Chavalit Chotruangnapa, S. Kunanon, P. Kotruchin et al.· European Heart Journal, Supp...· 0 citations
