Prevalence and accuracy of home sphygmomanometers in an urban population.
The prevalence of ownership (7.5 per cent) and the accuracy of home sphygmomanometers were determined in a population-based survey in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Sixty-four per cent of home sphygmomanometers were accurate within +/- 2 mm Hg of a calibrating sphygmomanometer; another 26 per cent were within +/- 3-6 mm Hg. These results suggest that although many home sphygmomanometers are accurate, some are very inaccurate. Health care providers should advise regular calibration when home sphygmomanometers are used for therapeutic self-management of hypertension.
Hahn
L P
LP
Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis 55455.
Folsom
A R
AR
Sprafka
J M
JM
Prineas
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014505:Urban Population