High blood pressure: Is THIS a better way to measure hypertension?
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Blood pressure is usually measured by automatic blood pressure devices at home and in the clinic. However, experts have said the devices are prone to errors. People can also be affected by anxiety levels associated with being in a GP surgery. Blood pressure is usually measured by oscillometry metres - which are automatic or by annual auscultatory metres - which are manual. Experts claim some available automatic blood pressure measurement devices are commonly off by 10 to 15 mmHg.
A systolic blood pressure measurement of 140 mmHg or higher and a diastolic measurement of 90 mmHG or higher (140/90 mmHg) is considered high. This can lead to the blood pressure medication being prescribed to people who don’t need them - which could in extreme cases cause blood pressure to dip too low. A method has now been developed to more accurately measure systolic blood pressure. Researchers at the Jerusalem College of Technology and the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre in Israel have developed a device - using a technique called photoplethysmography -- to more accurately measure systolic blood pressure.
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Blood pressure readings could be unreliable
The device uses a pressure cuff wrapped around the arm and an electro-optic probe on the finger. "The finger probe is similar to that of pulse oximeter: It includes a light-source emitting light into the finger and a detector, which measures the light transmitted through the finger," said Meir Nitzan, the study’s first author. "The transmitted light exhibits pulses at the heart rate, due to cardiac-induced blood volume changes in the finger tissue. “When the cuff pressure increases to above systolic blood pressure these pulses disappear, and when the cuff pressure decreases to below systolic blood pressure they reappear.
GETTY High blood pressure: The method could be more reliable