May measurement month 2017: Latin America

Abstract

Objectives: To raise awareness of blood pressure, measured by number of countries involved, number of people screened, and number of people who have untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Methods: An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged at least 18 years was carried out in May 2017. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard May measurement month protocol. Eighteen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the campaign, providing us with a wide sample for characterization. Results: During May measurement month 2017 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 105 246 individuals were screened. Participants who had cardiovascular disease, 2245 (2.3%) had a prior myocardial infarction, and 1711 (1.6%) a previous stroke, additionally 6760 (6.4%) individuals were diabetic, 7014 (6.7%) current smokers and 9262 (8.8%) reported alcohol intake once or more per week. Mean SBP was 122.7 mmHg and DBP was 75.6 mmHg. After imputation, 42 328 participants (40,4%) were found to be hypertensive. Conclusion: The high numbers of participants detected with hypertension and the relatively large proportion of participants on antihypertensive treatment but with uncontrolled hypertension reinforces the importance of this annual event in our continent, to raise awareness of the prevention of cardiovascular events.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Jamaica

“…Fewer than half receiving the various classes of antihypertensive medication had their BP under control. Barbosa et al 9 had reported 40.4% hypertension in Latin America in the MMM 2017 campaign, while the MMM 2017 Jamaican data reported 47.3%. 4 Rates in Jamaica were higher than the international rates of 34.9% in 2017, 33.4% in 2018, and 33.4% in 2019.…”

“…Demographic data were collected for each volunteer using a standardized survey Excel spreadsheet designed by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH). 8 , 9 Variables obtained included age, sex, ethnicity, medications, previous diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke. Data were analysed centrally by the MMM project team and multiple imputations performed to impute the mean of readings two and three where all three readings were not available using global level data and using the approach described previously.…”

Addressing the Challenge of Potentially Hazardous Elements in the Reduction of Hypertension, Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease in the Caribbean

“…Another study followed Cd measurements in the blood from study participants from every parish in Jamaica and their correlation with elevated blood pressure. 1 The study investigated the association between blood Cd levels with blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of Jamaican adults living in parishes across levels of Cd in local soil. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, blood pressure readings and analyzed using spectrometric techniques.…”

“…Trends in non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the Caribbean mirror the global NCD pandemic which predicts an exponential increase in incidence and prevalence over the next decade. 1 , 2 These NCD, as well as others, are responsible for almost 70% of global deaths. 3 At the 13th Annual Conference on Nephrology and Hypertension held in Kingston, Jamaica on January 2021, it was reported that there were currently more than 2700 CKD patients in Jamaica.…”

2021 World Health Organization guideline on pharmacological treatment of hypertension: Policy implications for the region of the Americas

“…17 Lack of identification of people whose blood pressure is high or normal only when outside the clinic setting (e.g., white coat hypertension and masked hypertension)** Where feasible and affordable, encourage the use of out-of-clinical office BP readings (i.e., community, home or ambulatory) to confirm the diagnosis and monitor BP control. 45 , 46 Ambulatory blood pressure devices are designed to take many blood pressure readings at regular intervals in people who follow their usual daily routines. Home blood pressures are those taken in a home environment, while community blood pressures refer to readings taken outside the home and clinical office (e.g., a pharmacy).…”