May Measurement Month 2022: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Venezuela

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the main cause of death in Venezuela, and hypertension is the primary risk factor. The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign has been conducted annually in Venezuela since 2017. In 2022 (MMM22), the campaign included 46 239 participants with a mean age of 57.3 (SD 14.9) years and 57.2% were female. The percentage of participants with hypertension was 59.0% (females: 56.1%; males: 62.9%); of those, 80.6% were aware of their condition and 78.9% were on antihypertensive medication. Among those receiving drug treatment, 58.8% were controlled to <140/90 mmHg, and of the overall hypertensive population, 46.4% were controlled. Of those taking antihypertensive medication, 58.5% received one antihypertensive drug, 31.7% two drugs, and 9.8% were on three or more drugs. When results were age-sex standardized, the prevalence of hypertension was lower at 39.9%. Other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were also identified: 8.3% reported having diabetes, 21.0% were obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg m²), 36.3% were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 and <30 kg m²), 8.5% were current smokers, and 53.9% reported inadequate physical activity. Additionally, 53.1% of females and 25.4% of males had an abnormal abdominal circumference classified as abdominal obesity. Furthermore, a previous myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure was reported by 2.7%, 1.7%, and 2.4%, respectively. In conclusion, this study confirms the suitability of opportunistic screening in detecting large numbers with previously unknown hypertension, although the population prevalence of hypertension may be overestimated. It also identified overall poor control rates, highlighting the need for improved initiatives for blood pressure (BP) screening and management.