Mission 70/26 Project: improving blood pressure control in Portugal.

Abstract

Purpose

As reported in most European countries, the percentage of treated hypertensive patients achieving a well-controlled blood pressure (e.g. < 140/90 mmHg) is insufficient. This represents a major health concern particularly in countries with a high prevalence of cardiovascular events such as stroke. Therefore, there is a need to develop national programs to increase not only the awareness regarding elevated blood pressure but also the percentage of treated patients achieving recommended blood pressure targets. The present paper describes the new initiative of the Portuguese Society of Hypertension (PSH) to achieveat least 70% of controlled hypertensive patients, followed in primary care, in 2026.

Materials and Methods

The strategies used to improve blood pressure control are aimed at healthcare professionals and general population and include governmental and organizational interventions. To be able to analyze the control rate of HTN patients, and using BI-CSP reports (the Primary Care health unit platform), every six months, we will be addressing the proportion of HTN patients (age: 18-65 years) with BP < 140/90 mmHg and the proportion of HTN patients with at least one blood pressure recorded in the last semester.

Conclusion

With Mission 70/26, the PHS aims to improve awareness among all health professionals and community alike about the problem of uncontrolled HTN and its role in the consequent disability and high mortality rate from cardiovascular causes.

Plain Language Summary

• Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor worldwide, affecting 42,6% of adult portuguese population.

• Only 52,8% of hypertensive patients followed in primary public care had their HTN controlled.

• Mission 70/26 project was designed by the Portuguese Society of Hypertension with the purpose of achieving 70% control of hypertensive patients under Primary Healthcare by 2026.

• The strategies used to improve blood pressure control are aimed at healthcare professionals and general population and include governmental and organizational interventions.

Keywords:

• Hypertension
• primary care
• health care professionals
• Missão 70/26

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article. The overall program is supported by a grant from Servier.