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

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Brazil in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥ 18 years were recruited through convenience sampling collected in all Brazilian states. Three seated BP readings were taken in each participant, and a questionnaire collected information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 6025 were screened, with a mean age of 39.5 years and 56.2% of whom were female. Of all participants, 1896 (31.5%) had hypertension, of whom 1235 (65.1%) were aware, and 1167 (61.6%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 665 (57.0%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 35.1% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Brazil identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. This reinforces the importance of public policies focused on effectively detecting snf controlling hypertension and reducing the social and economic impact of this condition.