May Measurement Month 2022: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the UK and Republic of Ireland

The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was carried out in the UK and Republic of Ireland (RoI) in 2022 with the aim of raising awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Here, we report on the findings of the campaign. Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited opportunistically at hospitals, general practice surgeries, community pharmacies, universities, gyms, and various other public places. Three seated BP readings were taken on each participant, along with completion of a questionnaire on demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on antihypertensive medication with a BP < 140/90 mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate any missing BP readings. In total, 3034 were screened, with a mean age of 55.2 (19.0) and 60.2% of whom were female. Of all participants, 1506 (49.6%) had hypertension, of whom 876 (58.2%) were aware, and 798 (53.0%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 382 (47.9%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 25.4% had controlled BP. The proportion of hypertension was similar between males and females, but females had better awareness, greater use of antihypertensive medication, and better medication-controlled BP than males. The MMM campaign in the UK and RoI identified significant numbers of participants with either untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. This evidence underscores the critical need for more effective strategies to improve BP detection and control in order to reduce the significant public health challenge and overall disease burden of hypertension.