[Value of blood pressure of adults depending on method of measurement]

Hypertension is currently one of the most common diseases of circulation system within Polish population. This fact implies an urgent need of introducing efficient prevention concerning proper blood pressure measurement not only in medical centers but at home of patients as well. Blood pressure measurement of brachial taking by mercurial sphygmomanometer is an advisable method recommended by World Health Organization and International Society of Hypertension. In practice, however, other methods are used by patients and blood pressure is often of measure wrist. THE AIM of the research was the comparison of results of different method of measurement blood pressure of adults. The measurement was taken with three types of instruments at different parts of upper limb: arm and wrist.

105 persons, 75 men and 30 women at age 46,3+/-12,1 years, were examined by taking the measurement of vascular blood pressure at rest. The measurement was taken at left upper limb after fifteen minutes of rest. The first measurement was taken with mercurial sphygmomanometer. Subsequently, the automatic wrist vascular blood pressure instrument made by OMRON R-1 was used; third measurement: automatic brachial vascular blood pressure instrument made by OMRON M5-1.

Average values of systolic vascular blood pressure measured with mercurial sphygmomanometer were 122,1+/-18,9 mmHg, diastolic pressure were 81,7+/-9,9 mmHg. Average values of systolic vascular blood pressure measured with automatic wrist vascular blood pressure instrument were higher 131,3+/-21,0 mmHg, diastolic pressure were 85,3 + 12,1 mmHg (p<0,05). Average values of systolic vascular blood pressure measured with automatic brachial vascular blood pressure instrument were higher too: 129,6+/-19,9 mmHg, diastolic pressure were 80,5+/-11,4 mmHg (p<0,05). Measurements taken with automatic instrument were considerably statistically higher than with mercurial sphygmomanometer.

1. Measurements of vascular blood pressure at rest taken with automatic instruments (wrist and brachial one) were considerably higher than with mercurial sphygmomanometer. The differences were mainly concerning the values of systolic vascular blood pressure. The place of measurement (arm and wrist) had no influence on the result. 2. In comparison to mercurial sphygmomanometer, the error statistically essential must be taken into account during the interpretation of results obtained by measurement taken with brachial and wrist instruments. The instruments may be used for comparison of the successive results of the same person only. 3. The measurements taken with mercurial sphygmomanometer should remain a basic tool in hypertension diagnosis and control.