May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Jamaica

There is evidence of an elevated risk of hypertension in populations that are primarily of African origin. Hypertension is predominantly asymptomatic, necessitating increased awareness. May Measurement Month was a descriptive, population-based, cross-sectional study of blood pressure (BP) screening and awareness campaign conducted in 2019 in a sample of 2550 participants (≥18 years) in Jamaica. In total, 1791 (70.2%) of the participants were female, 756 (29.6%) were male, with an average age of 49.3 years, and a body mass index (kg/m2) of 28.5 (6.2). Of all participants, 2289 (89.8%) were black and 154 (6.0%) were of mixed races. Twenty-two (0.9%) had never had their BP measured, whereas 354 (13.9%) had their measurements more than a year ago, and 2129 (83.5%) had measured within the year. Of all 2550 participants, 1055 (41.4%) had hypertension, 69.9% of our subjects with hypertension were aware, whereas only 62.5% were on antihypertensive medication and 27.8% had controlled BP (systolic