The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement

By Jon Wells
May 7, 2019

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recognized by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National High Blood Pressure Education Month raises awareness about the impact of hypertension and aims to reduce death and disability related to high blood pressure through professional, patient and public education.

Caregivers are getting better, but for many Americans, they’re still taking blood pressure (BP) incorrectly. It doesn’t take much. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), small differences in BP can lead to incorrect treatment for conditions like hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke or kidney failure.

Despite an array of technical and clinical advances, research shows that too many physicians and other healthcare providers are taking inaccurate BP readings.

With the recent Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) study report and the subsequent AHA and American College of Cardiology guidelines, it’s time to think about the impacts/importance of an accurate BP reading.

Helping clinicians and caregivers obtain accurate BP readings is a passion of ours at Midmark. In this behind the scenes video, we discuss the importance of accurate BP measurements and how we're shaping the clinical space to enhance the healthcare experience.