Abstract
BackgroundHome blood-pressure (BP) monitoring is recommended in guidelines and is increasingly popular with patients and health professionals, but the accuracy of patients’ own monitors in real-world use is not known.AimTo assess the accuracy of home BP monitors used by people with hypertension, and to investigate factors affecting accuracy.Design and settingCross-sectional, observational study in urban and suburban settings in central England.MethodPatients (n = 6891) on the hypertension register at seven practices in the West Midlands, England, were surveyed to ascertain whether they owned a BP monitor and wanted it tested. Monitor accuracy was compared with a calibrated reference device at 50 mmHg intervals between 0–280/300 mmHg (static pressure test); a difference from the reference monitor of +/−3 mmHg at any interval was considered a failure. Cuff performance was also assessed. Results were analysed by frequency of use, length of time in service, make and model, monitor validation status, purchase price, and any previous testing.ResultsIn total, 251 (76%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 71 to 80%) of 331 tested devices passed all tests (monitors and cuffs), and 86% (CI] = 82 to 90%) passed the static pressure test; deficiencies were, primarily, because of monitors overestimating BP. A total of 40% of testable monitors were not validated. The pass rate on the static pressure test was greater in validated monitors (96%, 95% CI = 94 to 98%) versus unvalidated monitors (64%, 95% CI = 58 to 69%), those retailing for >£10 (90%, 95% CI = 86 to 94%), those retailing for ≤£10 (66%, 95% CI = 51 to 80%), those in use for ≤4 years (95%, 95% CI = 91 to 98%), and those in use for >4 years (74%, 95% CI = 67 to 82%). All in all, 12% of cuffs failed.ConclusionPatients’ own BP monitor failure rate was similar to that demonstrated in studies performed in professional settings, although cuff failure was more frequent. Clinicians can be confident of the accuracy of patients’ own BP monitors if the devices are validated and ≤4 years old.
Highlights
IntroductionRaised blood pressure (BP) is a key risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. An accurate BP monitoring device is fundamental to the diagnosis and management of hypertension.Self-monitored BP at home is a statistically significantly better predictor of future cardiovascular risk than manual office BP measurement, and self-monitoring as part of a self-management strategy is an effective way to improve BP control. Home BP monitoring has gained popularity in recent years among both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), many of whom incorporate self-monitored readings in their treatment decisions; there is considerable variation in practice, and there remains scepticism among some HCPs about the accuracy of patients’ own readings, especially outside of a trial context.6,7 guidance on how to conduct self-monitoring of BP recommends use of validated upper-arm cuff devices, appropriate training, use of a pre-specified schedule (for example, number of days of readings, time of day), and physician verification of measurements, none to date recommends checking the accuracy of home BP monitors used by patients
Patients’ own blood pressure (BP) monitor failure rate was similar to that demonstrated in studies performed in professional settings, cuff failure was more frequent
Guidance on how to conduct self-monitoring of BP recommends use of validated upper-arm cuff devices, appropriate training, use of a pre-specified schedule, and physician verification of measurements,8,9 none to date recommends checking the accuracy of home BP monitors used by patients
Summary
Raised blood pressure (BP) is a key risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. An accurate BP monitoring device is fundamental to the diagnosis and management of hypertension.Self-monitored BP at home is a statistically significantly better predictor of future cardiovascular risk than manual office BP measurement, and self-monitoring as part of a self-management strategy is an effective way to improve BP control. Home BP monitoring has gained popularity in recent years among both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), many of whom incorporate self-monitored readings in their treatment decisions; there is considerable variation in practice, and there remains scepticism among some HCPs about the accuracy of patients’ own readings, especially outside of a trial context.6,7 guidance on how to conduct self-monitoring of BP recommends use of validated upper-arm cuff devices, appropriate training, use of a pre-specified schedule (for example, number of days of readings, time of day), and physician verification of measurements, none to date recommends checking the accuracy of home BP monitors used by patients. Self-monitored BP at home is a statistically significantly better predictor of future cardiovascular risk than manual office BP measurement, and self-monitoring as part of a self-management strategy is an effective way to improve BP control.. Home BP monitoring has gained popularity in recent years among both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs), many of whom incorporate self-monitored readings in their treatment decisions; there is considerable variation in practice, and there remains scepticism among some HCPs about the accuracy of patients’ own readings, especially outside of a trial context.. Home blood-pressure (BP) monitoring is recommended in guidelines and is increasingly popular with patients and health professionals, but the accuracy of patients’ own monitors in real-world use is not known
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