SPHYGMOMANOMETERS IN CLINICAL USE: ARE THEY RELIABLE?

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension affects approximately 1 billion individual worldwide. It is responsible for 7.1 million premature deaths and 4.5% of disease burden. Higher the BP, the greater is the chance of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease. The management of Hypertension depends on stage of Hypertension which is determined by measurement of systolic and diastolic blood Pressure. Accurate assignment of blood pressure status is crucial from a public health standpoint. Overestimating or underestimating blood pressure by even 5 mm Hg can mislabel over 20 million persons as having high normal blood pressure rather than hypertension; conversely, another 20 to 30 million could be misclassified as hypertensive exposing these persons to the expense and adverse effects of treatment. Different type of Blood pressure instruments (sphygmomanometer) like mercury and aneroid type are generally used in our country. What ever the type for accurate measurement of blood Pressure properly calibrated and validated instrument should be used.