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30% to 40% of aneroid sphygmomanometers used by physicians are out of calibration by 4 mm Hg or more, and about 10% are out of calibration by 10 mm Hg or more. [1] Inadequate preparation of patients, significant deviations from recommended technique and inaccurate sphygmomanometers often result in blood pressure measurement errors of 10 mm Hg or more.
Conversely, consistent underestimation of diastolic pressure by 5 mm Hg would reduce by 62% the number of patients perceived as hypertensive. [8] These errors could deprive patients of therapy proven to be beneficial and could lead to increases in serious medical and social complications. The effects of consistent errors of 10 mm Hg in systolic pressure could be similar.
Originally posted by Long Lance
reply to post by webpirate
a couple of mmHg more will mean medication, the diastolic threshold for mild hypertension is only 10mm above the standard (80). all i am saying is that these readings have profound consequences and they are usually on the high side.