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

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Bangladesh in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥ 18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at 600 screening sites in 64 districts in Bangladesh. 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, 25,185 were screened, with a mean age of 46.9 years and 53.1% of whom were female. Of all participants, 12,974 (51.5%) had hypertension, of whom 10,708 (82.5%) were aware, and 10,219 (78.8%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 5495 (53.8%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 42.4% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Bangladesh identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Opportunistic BP screening can detect a considerable proportion of individuals with unrecognised and inadequately treated hypertension, thereby supporting early intervention and contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.