Hypertension remains one of the greatest threats to public health, with millions of citizens remaining undiagnosed or without adequate regulation of their blood pressure. In Greece, one in three people have hypertension and are often unaware of it.
Scientists call hypertension a “silent killer” because it usually causes no symptoms until serious complications arise. According to a 2025 World Health Organization conclusion, hypertension remains a huge global public health problem, accounting for more deaths than any other risk factor.
In the context of the need for early diagnosis and prevention, the May Measurement Month (MMM) programme, the largest international pressure awareness and recording programme (in almost 100 countries), is being implemented in Greece in 2026.
The programme, with the slogan “Measure your blood pressure today – it’s simple and can save your life”, is being implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Society of Hypertension, with the aim of enhancing prevention, early diagnosis and improved regulation of hypertension in the general population during May, on the occasion of World Hypertension Day (17 May). It includes free blood pressure readings and awareness-raising activities.
A “silent” but dangerous disease – Hypertension is responsible for
– 16% of all deaths
– 53% of cardiovascular deaths
– 58% of stroke deaths
– 31% of deaths from kidney failure
Also causes heart failure and dementia
Hypertension in Greece: a huge and underestimated problem
– About 3 million people have hypertension
– 1 in 3 hypertensive patients is undiagnosed
– 1 in 3 hypertensive patients is undiagnosed
– Only 1 in 3 have good blood pressure control with treatment
These figures confirm that hypertension remains largely undiagnosed or poorly controlled, creating a critical gap in public health.
Free screenings across the country
The May 2026 “May Measurement Month” program involves taking blood pressure readings in over 10.It will be carried out in over 10,000 people throughout Greece and at more than 40 measurement points in 24 cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis, Argos, Aspropyrgos, Veria, Didymoteicho, Drama, Heraklion, Ierapetra, Ioannina, Ioannina, Kavala, Kalamata, Larissa, Magoula, Markopoulo, Megalopolis, Mogalopolis, Molai, Naoussa, Neapoli, Lakonia, Patras, Ptolemaida, Tripoli, Chania).
Measurements are carried out in public places using certified pressure gauges. Participants will be informed immediately of the results of their measurements and, if necessary, will receive instructions for further testing and treatment.
The aim is to enhance prevention and increase the proportion of citizens who know their blood pressure value.
Health experts are calling on all adults: “Measure your blood pressure, even if you feel healthy.”
It is stressed that measuring blood pressure is particularly important for adults who:
– have not had their blood pressure checked recently
– have an increased body weight
– have not recently checked their blood pressure;
– have an increased body weight
– have a family history of hypertension
MMM program
May Measurement Month was launched in 2017 by the International Society of Hypertension and is the largest global blood pressure measurement campaign to raise awareness and improve the diagnosis and regulation of hypertension worldwide. To date, a total of more than 7 million people have been measured in almost 100 countries. The MMM programme has also been implemented in Greece (2019-2025) in over 20 urban centres and approximately 35,000 people have been measured.
The coordinator of the MMM programme in Greece is Professor Georgios Stergios Stergios, Professor of Pathology & Hypertension, at the STRIDE-7 Hypertension Centre, 3rd University Pathology Clinic, Sotiria Hospital in Athens, who is president of the International Hypertension Society.
The MMM in Greece is held under the auspices of the Hellenic Hypertension Society and is chaired by Professor Costantinos Tsioufis, Professor of Cardiology, who is Director of the 1st Cardiology Clinic of the University of Athens, “Hippokratio” Hospital and has served as President of the European Hypertension Society.
Many members of medical schools and doctors of the National Health System, as well as many students of the Medical School, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students, are participating in the conduct of MMM 2026.
