American Heart Association, AMA Release Blood Pressure Measurement Guide

IN A NUTSHELL:

• AMA and AHA release guide on blood pressure measuring

• Patient anxiety, poor techniques can affect accurate readings

• Improper measurements could hinder managing conditions

Written by Ayan Monpara, MD

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released a quick start guide with best practices on how to accurately measure blood pressure.

There are several factors that can affect a precise reading, such as blood pressure variability, poor measurement techniques and patient anxiety caused by the white coat syndrome can all contribute to doubt concerning what a patient’s true blood pressure numbers are.

Ultimately, this could lead to failure to manage a condition.

The AMA has developed online tools and resources as part of  Target: BP™, a national initiative co-led by the AMA and the AHA. The campaign was created using the most current, evidence-based information to support health care workers in managing their patients’ high blood pressure.