Social Media as a Source of Blood Pressure Measurement Education: Evaluation of Short-Form Video Quality in China

Home blood pressure monitoring is essential for hypertension management, but incorrect measurement practices remain common. Short-form videos are increasingly used for health education, although their accuracy is uncertain.

This cross-sectional study evaluated 154 home blood pressure monitoring-related videos from TikTok, REDnote, and Bilibili using 17 criteria derived from the 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology and 2024 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Total accuracy was calculated as the percentage of correctly demonstrated or described criteria. Associations between video characteristics and accuracy were explored.

Videos were created by cardiovascular health care professionals (41.6%), non-cardiovascular health care professionals (38.3%), and non-health care individuals (20.1%). Health care professionals more frequently demonstrated resting for ≥5 minutes, positioning the arm at heart level, and appropriate cuff tightness (all P<0.001). However, validated monitor use, correct posture, bare-arm measurement, and recording of readings were accurate in <40% of videos; correct cuff sizing and multiday measurement were addressed in <20%. Visually demonstrative videos more often showed correct cuff placement than verbal-only videos (67.7% versus 34.4%, P<0.001), whereas verbal-only videos more often described measurement timing (50.8% versus 24.7%, P=0.001). Longer duration was associated with higher accuracy (β per 10 seconds=0.62 [95% CI, 0.33-0.90]; ρ=0.222, P=0.006;), whereas videos by non-health care individuals had lower scores than those by cardiovascular professionals (β=-22.84 [95% CI, -31.48 to -14.20]).

Home blood pressure monitoring videos on Chinese short-form platforms frequently deviate from guideline recommendations. Greater professional involvement and evidence-based content review are needed.