Prevalence, awareness and therapeutic control of hypertension in Belgium: an opportunistic screening of nearly 6,000 participants during the May Measurement Month campaigns 2017–23

The May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative is an annual global screening campaign started in 2017 by the International Society of Hypertension highlighting the importance of regular measurements of blood pressure (BP). Here we report on the results of the MMM campaign done in Belgium during the month of May in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. Participants ≥18 years were recruited through opportunistic sampling in 12 sites (mostly hospital entrances) across Belgium. Apart from standardised BP recordings by trained staff, data were collected on demographics, lifestyle factors and comorbidities. Hypertension was defined as raised BP (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg) and/or taking antihypertensive medication. Data were collected from 5,926 participants aged 51.5 years on average. Mean (SD) systolic and diastolic BP were 125.9 (17.6) mmHg and 79.4 (10.9) mmHg with 25.8% exceeding the 140/90 mmHg threshold. Age-standardised prevalences of hypertension were 45.4% in men and 36.9% in women. Among the 2,468 individuals with hypertension, 78.5% had been previously diagnosed and 1,578 of those with known hypertension, received antihypertensive treatment. Only about half of those being treated (56.3%) did achieve the target of systolic/diastolic BP <140/90 mmHg. Inadequate therapeutic control was independently associated with increasing age and higher body mass index. Untreated hypertension was significantly associated with male sex, age, body mass index and alcohol use. Despite the limited representativeness of the sample, these data suggest that the ‘rule of halves’ for hypertension no longer holds true in Belgium and that therapeutic control of hypertension is still suboptimal. The societal burden of high blood pressure remains very highSince early detection can significantly mitigate further complications, adequate screening is crucialAccording to the May Measurement Month screening campaign done in Belgium during recent years, prevalences of hypertension were found to be 45% in men and 37% in women.About 30% of persons with hypertension are unaware of their conditionTherapeutic control of hypertension remains inadequate with approximately 4 out of 10 of treated patients failing to achieve their target blood pressureIt is increasingly important to develop strategies that promote drug and lifestyle adherence and improve its effectiveness in order to mitigate the risk of complications, including heart disease and stroke The societal burden of high blood pressure remains very high Since early detection can significantly mitigate further complications, adequate screening is crucial According to the May Measurement Month screening campaign done in Belgium during recent years, prevalences of hypertension were found to be 45% in men and 37% in women. About 30% of persons with hypertension are unaware of their condition Therapeutic control of hypertension remains inadequate with approximately 4 out of 10 of treated patients failing to achieve their target blood pressure It is increasingly important to develop strategies that promote drug and lifestyle adherence and improve its effectiveness in order to mitigate the risk of complications, including heart disease and stroke