At least 3 BP measurements gives accurate data of patient's condition: Study

At least three repeated measurement of blood pressure during a clinic visit is required to reduce inaccurate classification of a patient's true condition and prevent misdiagnosis, a recent study has stated.

The study recently published in the Journal of Human Hypertension was conducted by researchers at Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), AIIMS, New Delhi, and the Economics and Planning unit of the Indian Statistical Institute.

Either due to patient load or lack of awareness among physicians, often single blood pressure measurement is used to diagnose and manage hypertension. This results in many people being diagnosed as having high blood pressure and often receive treatment they may not need.

The study found 63 per cent higher prevalence of hypertension when estimated through a single blood pressure measurement, compared to an average of multiple measurements.

It has implications for India's newly launched National Health Mission in India under which the health and wellness ...