May Measurement Month (MMM) takes place between May 1 and July 31 with World Hypertension Day commemorated on May 17.
As MMM enters its seventh year, the South African Hypertension Society has announced its involvement in this landmark global blood pressure screening initiative.
They urged locals to take advantage of this opportunity to get their blood pressure tested.
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According to the organisation, raised blood pressure (BP), or hypertension, is the single biggest risk factor responsible for mortality worldwide.
It is estimated that in South Africa alone, 26.5% have raised blood pressure, putting them at risk of some serious long-term complications if left untreated.
The majority of people with raised hypertension are either completely unaware of actually having it and are untreated, or are on treatment which is not effectively controlling their condition.
“As the condition has no noticeable symptoms, blood pressure measurement is the only accurate way of identifying hypertension, and therefore of critical importance.
“The good news is that BP is easy and inexpensive to measure, and if diagnosed early enough can be managed through maintaining a healthy lifestyle or if required through the use of several effective drug treatments that are available to control hypertension,” said the organisation.
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This was the impetus behind MMM – a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of high blood pressure, its potential long-term implications and the importance of controlling it.
It is the world’s largest free public blood pressure screening campaign and from May until July, volunteers around the world will measure the blood pressure of people in their cities, towns and villages.
Since the launch of May Measurement Month, over six million people have been screened in 100 countries across the world.
In 2022, MMM identified that 62.5% of people with hypertension in South Africa were not aware and 16.5% of people on anti-hypertensive treatment were not effectively controlled.
MMM’s chief investigator, Prof Neil Poulter, said, “Raised blood pressure remains the biggest single contributing risk factor for global death and the worldwide burden of disease.
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“We want May Measurement Month to increase public understanding and help save lives that need not be lost.”
High blood pressure remains the biggest single contributor to global death and the global burden of disease.
