May Measurement Month 2023: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom

Abstract

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at hospitals, general practice surgeries, community pharmacies, universities, gyms, and other public places. Three seated BP readings were taken for 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 one or two missing BP readings. In total, 2,201 were screened, with a mean age of 51.9 years and 51.2% were female. Of all participants, 821 (37.3%) had hypertension, of whom 393 (47.9%) were aware, and 300 (36.5%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 152 (50.8%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 18.6% had controlled BP. Hypertension was more common in males, whilst awareness, antihypertensive medication use, and BP control were lower. Hypertension awareness and antihypertensive medication use were particularly low in adults aged <50 years. The MMM campaign in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom identified substantial numbers of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. This evidence reinforces the urgent need for more effective hypertension detection and control strategies to abate the rising hypertension burden.