May Measurement Month 2023: Implementation of a global opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Greece

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) 2023 global blood pressure (BP) screening campaign was conducted in Greece aiming to raise hypertension awareness and control in the general population. Volunteers aged ≥18 years were recruited through opportunistic screening in 11 cities. Each participant was assessed with triplicate seated BP measurements using validated automated upper-arm cuff devices and a standardized questionnaire on medical history. These data were submitted online through a custom-designed app of the global MMM campaign. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥140/90mmHg (average of second-third measurement) and/or use of antihypertensive drugs. A total of 5,437 individuals were analysed (mean age 53±17.1 years, 46.2% men, 27.8% current smokers, 10.9% with diabetes, 6.7% with cardiovascular disease) and 41.7% were hypertensive. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in men compared to women and in older compared to youngers individuals. Among hypertensives, 73.9% were unaware of their diagnosis, 69.9% were on antihypertensive drugs, and 47.6% were treated and controlled (BP <140/90mmHg). These data suggest that in Greece a high prevalence of hypertension persists, and often is undiagnosed, untreated, and uncontrolled. Global BP screening campaigns such as MMM are important and need to be complemented by public health initiatives at a national level for improving hypertension diagnosis and control.

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Publication Details

Journal
European Heart Journal Supplements
Published
2026-06-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suag095
Primary Topic
Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
Type
article
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article

May Measurement Month 2023: Implementation of a global opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Greece

Xenophon Krokidis, Vasilios Kotsis, Thomas E Beaney, D. Konstantinidis et al.
European Heart Journal Supplements
Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
article

May Measurement Month 2023: Implementation of a global opportunistic blood pressure screening campaign in Greece

Xenophon Krokidis, Vasilios Kotsis, Thomas E Beaney, D. Konstantinidis, Angelos Liontos, Dimitrios Papadopoulos, Maria Pikilidou, George S. Stergiou, Αreti Triantafyllou, Konstantinos G. Kyriakoulis, Rigas Kalaitzidis, Maria E. Marketou, Ariadni Menti, Αναστάσιος Κόλλιας, Athanase D. Protogerou, Marieta P. Theodorakopoulou, Εugenia Gkaliagkousi, Emmanouil Makaris, Gabriele Keziah Kerr, Haralampos J Milionis, Konstantinos P Tsioufis, Costas Thomopoulos, Neil R Poulter, Thomas Makris, Manolis S. Kallistratos, Evangelos Papachristou, Spyridon Maragkoudakis, Vasilios Sarakis, C S Savopoulos, Ιoannis Zarifis, Dimitrios Goumenos, ATHANASIOS MANOLIS, Charalampos Grassos, George Ntaios, Pantelis Zebekakis, George Nikitas, Michael Doumas, Efstathios Manios, Vasiliki Katsi, Pantelis Sarafidis
article en

Abstract

Abstract The May Measurement Month (MMM) 2023 global blood pressure (BP) screening campaign was conducted in Greece aiming to raise hypertension awareness and control in the general population. Volunteers aged ≥18 years were recruited through opportunistic screening in 11 cities. Each participant was assessed with triplicate seated BP measurements using validated automated upper-arm cuff devices and a standardized questionnaire on medical history. These data were submitted online through a custom-designed app of the global MMM campaign. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥140/90mmHg (average of second-third measurement) and/or use of antihypertensive drugs. A total of 5,437 individuals were analysed (mean age 53±17.1 years, 46.2% men, 27.8% current smokers, 10.9% with diabetes, 6.7% with cardiovascular disease) and 41.7% were hypertensive. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in men compared to women and in older compared to youngers individuals. Among hypertensives, 73.9% were unaware of their diagnosis, 69.9% were on antihypertensive drugs, and 47.6% were treated and controlled (BP <140/90mmHg). These data suggest that in Greece a high prevalence of hypertension persists, and often is undiagnosed, untreated, and uncontrolled. Global BP screening campaigns such as MMM are important and need to be complemented by public health initiatives at a national level for improving hypertension diagnosis and control.

European Heart Journal Supplements
The George Institute for Global Health (GB), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (GR), Tripoli Central Hospital (LY), AHEPA University Hospital (GR), Agios Pavlos General Hospital (GR), General University Hospital of Patras (GR), Papageorgiou General Hospital (GR), Alexandra Hospital (GR), Laiko General Hospital of Athens (GR), General-Maternity District Hospital Helena Venizelou (GR), Hospital Agioi Anargyroi (GR), Chania General Hospital ”St. George” (GR), University Hospital of Heraklion (GR), General Hospital of Nikea (GR), University Hospital of Ioannina (GR), Metropolitan Hospital (GR), G. Papanikolaou General Hospital (GR), Hippocration General Hospital (GR), Sotiria General Hospital (GR), Imperial College London (GB), Technological Educational Institute of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (GR)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
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