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Updated: May 13, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Self-reported physician adherence to guidelines for measuring blood pressure
Robert C Dickson1, Kathryn Gaebel, Angelo Zizzo
1Department of Family Medicine, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. rcdickson@sympatico.ca
Background:
Diagnosis of hypertension, treatment, and follow-up depend on accurate measurement. This research study attempted to determine whether family physicians are all measuring blood pressure (BP) according to Canadian guidelines.
Methods:
A short survey was mailed to all physicians within the Department of Family Medicine, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Results:
Fifty-one percent of the surveys were completed and returned. Eleven of the recommendations were followed "always or most of the time." BP is measured manually by 63% of the respondents, and the most frequent barrier to following the recommendations was time.
Conclusion:
The results of the survey indicated that measurement of BP according to Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations was felt to be important and conducted in most cases, but there is room for improvement.
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Prepare for the Procedure:
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Several factors...
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
Measurement of Blood Pressure