Home bp monitors are 70% inaccurate

TORONTO: Seventy per cent of digital blood pressure monitors used at homes are “unacceptably inaccurate”, and could cause serious implications for people who rely on them, said researchers one of Indian-origin.The study found that about 70 per cent of the time, these digital devices weren’t accurate within five mmHg, when compared to the mercury reading of the sphygmomanometer (used by medical practitioners) leading to flaws in making informed health decisions. The devices were off the mark by 10 mmHg about 30% of the time. The findings are extremely relevant given millions of patients are asked to monitor their blood pressure through a device at home and report the results back to their doctor. Further, the readings were more inaccurate in men than in women. According to researchers, there are many factors that could account for their findings.