15% of Home Blood Pressure Monitor Readings May Be Inaccurate

Home blood pressure monitors could give inaccurate readings for up to 15% of patients. 

For the study, Swapnil Hiremath, MD, MPH, of the University of Ottawa in Canada, and colleagues evaluated measurements from 210 patients’ home blood pressure monitors and compared them with validated mercury sphygmomanometers, which are used in doctors’ offices.
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Researchers discovered that 30% of the home monitor systolic blood pressure readings were >5 mm Hg different and 8% of the readings were >10 mm Hg different from the mercury systolic blood pressure measurement. Results for diastolic blood pressure were similar to systolic.

Investigators noted that 5% to 15% of patients could still find inaccuracies in their home blood pressure monitors and recommended that patients validate their home monitors with their healthcare providers.

-Michelle Canales

Reference:

Hiremath S. Are home blood pressure monitors accurate compared to validated devices? Paper presented at:ASN Kidney Week at the Pennsylvania Convention Center; November 11-14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA