May Measurement Month (MMM) 2017: an analysis of blood pressure screening results in Bangladesh—South Asia

Abstract

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. Based on the findings of the non-communicable disease Risk Factors Survey Bangladesh 2010, the prevalence of hypertension in adults 25 years or older in Bangladesh is 20.1%. The Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey, 2011 showed that approximately 50% of those affected are unaware of their hypertensive condition. The May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17) is a global initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) aimed at raising awareness of high BP. We participated in MMM17 to raise awareness of hypertension screening and identify those with elevated BP who were unaware, and those on treatment with still uncontrolled hypertension. Following the standard protocol designed by the ISH, we participated in MMM17, an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18. It was carried out in May 2017. BP measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Data were collected from 35 screening sites in 33 districts in Bangladesh. Personnel from several government and non-government organizations volunteered in this huge event. A total of 11 418 individuals were screened during MMM17, of which 5401 (47.3%) were found to have hypertension. Of 8365 individuals not receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 2348 (28.1%) were hypertensive. Of 3053 individuals receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 1594 (52.2%) had uncontrolled BP. MMM17 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Bangladesh. This study suggests that opportunistic screening can identify significant numbers of people with raised BP. A periodic public health programme at a national level needs to be initiated to increase hypertension detection and control rate and thus for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

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

“…In MMM17, a total of 11 418 individuals was screened, of which 47.3% had hypertension and among individuals receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 52.2% had uncontrolled BP. 5 In MMM18, a total of 5208 individuals were screened, 33.6% had hypertension and among those who were on antihypertensive medication 33.6% had uncontrolled hypertension. 6 Differences in the proportions with hypertension and control rates in 2017 and 2018 may reflect that in MMM17 a large number of the participants were screened in community settings, whilst in MMM18 most of the participants were screened from hospital outdoor set-ups.…”

“…The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) has been working for the control and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and co-ordinated the conduct of the two previous May Measurement Month (MMM) events in 2017 and 2018, in collaboration with government and non-government organizations throughout the country, with technical support from the International Society of Hypertension (ISH). 5 , 6 In 2019, NHFB participated in another round of MMM aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of regular BP screening programmes in Bangladesh.…”

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Bangladesh

“… 6 The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) has been leading this global hypertension screening activity in Bangladesh since 2017. 7 The NHFB, in collaboration with several affiliated bodies of NHFB, coordinated the nationwide hypertension screening programme in the month of May 2018.…”

Thin-strut bioresorbable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent use for an optimal result of rescue coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction failed thrombolytic therapy: the Bangladesh National Heart Foundation Annual Conference OCT-assisted live case

“…A 47-year-old man, smoker, was transferred to the Department of Cardiology Catheterization Laboratory at the National Heart Foundation (NHF) Hospital & Research Institute [ 1 ] in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from a remote hospital after streptokinase failure to reperfuse anterior ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).…”

“…(Rtd.) Abdul Malik to (i) promote cardiovascular health, educate and motivate people for prevention of cardiovascular diseases, (ii) provide in-hospital and out-patient services to patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases and associated conditions, (iii) train cardiovascular doctors, nurses, technicians and paramedics, and (iv) undertake and promote local high-quality research in cardiovascular diseases [ 1 , 17 ]. NHF is a member of the World Heart Federation and it plays a very active role in the Stent-For-Life [ 18 ] initiative in Bangladesh, fostering progress in cardiovascular prevention, medical staff and patient education, and introducing novel cardiovascular therapies in the country.…”