3 research outputs found
Opportunistic screening for hypertension in the general population in Greece: International Society of Hypertension May Measurement Month 2019
Hypertension remains a major public health issue with inadequate control
worldwide. The May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative by the
International Society of Hypertension was implemented in Greece in 2019
aiming to raise hypertension awareness and control. Adult volunteers (>=
18years) were recruited through opportunistic screening in five urban
areas. Information on medical history and triplicate sitting blood
pressure (BP) measurements were obtained using validated automated
upper-arm devices. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP >= 140mmHg
and/or diastolic >= 90mmHg, and/or self-reported use of drugs for
hypertension. A total of 5727 were analysed [mean age 52.7 (SD 16.6)
years, men 46.5%, 88.3% had BP measurement in the last 18months]. The
prevalence of hypertension was (41.6%) and was higher in men and in
older individuals. Among individuals with hypertension, 78.7% were
diagnosed, 73.1% treated, and 48.3% controlled. Awareness, treatment,
and control of hypertension were higher in women and in older
individuals. Hypertensives had a higher body mass index (BMI) and were
more likely to have diabetes, myocardial infarction and stroke, and less
likely to smoke than normotensives (all P<0.001). Among treated
hypertensives, 65.1% were on monotherapy, and with increasing number of
antihypertensive drugs the BP levels were higher and hypertension
control rates lower. The prevalence of hypertension in Greece is high,
with considerable potential for improving awareness, treatment, and
control. Screening programmes, such as MMM, need to be widely
implemented at the population level, together with training programmes
for healthcare professionals aiming to optimise management and control