High blood pressure, or hypertension, continues to claim the lives of millions worldwide each year, despite the fact it only takes minutes to detect through screening.
To lead the way in reversing this trend, we are teaming up with Monash Health and participating in May Measurement Month 2019 (MMM19), a global initiative, where families, community members, patients and staff can receive a free blood pressure test throughout May.
Last year, of the 2.7 million people screened, more than 140,000 people were found to have previously unidentified high blood pressure.
Dr Jun Yang, a Hudson Institute researcher and Head of the Endocrine Hypertension Service at Monash Health, is coordinating MMM19 with Dr Renata Libianto, a PhD student in the Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory.
Dr Yang and Dr Libianto are encouraging everyone to have their blood pressure checked, even those who are receiving antihypertensive treatment, as 40 per cent of these individuals were found to have uncontrolled blood pressure during last year’s May Measurement Month. They will also use this opportunity to recruit patients for their study on primary aldosteronism, a common and potentially curable, but under-diagnosed hormonal cause of hypertension.
Anyone with newly diagnosed hypertension and not yet on drug treatment can participate. Information will be given out at the MMM19 booth in the foyer of Monash Medical Centre.
Risks of high blood pressure
- High blood pressure is the number one contributing risk factor for global death and can cause strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications.
- Over 10 million lives are lost each year globally due to high blood pressure.
- Only half of people with high blood pressure are aware of it.
May Measurement Month
An initiative of the International Society of Hypertension, May Measurement Month is the world’s largest synchronised blood pressure screening project. Last year, more than 100 countries took part.
Where and when
Free blood pressure checks will be available in the main foyer of Monash Medical Centre from 10am to 2pm (subject to volunteer availability), Monday to Friday (except 3 May), until Friday, 31 May 2019.
Contact us
Hudson Institute communications
t: + 61 3 8572 2697
e: communications@hudson.org.au
