May Measurement Month 2023 and Hunting the silent killer programme: results of an opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Croatia

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign was conducted in Croatia in 2023 to raise awareness of raised blood pressure (BP). Adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through convenience sampling at 329 community pharmacies and 86 various public sites (squares, shopping centres, universities, hospitals). 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 ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg or being on BP-lowering medication. Controlled BP was defined as being on BP-lowering medication with a BP <140/90mmHg. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing BP readings. In total, 10,089 were screened, with a mean age of 57.1 years and 64.9% were female. Of all participants, 5,854 (58.0%) had hypertension, of whom 4,754 (81.2%) were aware, and 45,96 (78.5%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 2,373 (51.6%) had controlled BP, and of all participants with hypertension, 40.5% had controlled BP. The MMM campaign in Croatia identified a substantial number of participants with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension.