A new method of blood pressure recording that may enhance patient compliance

We describe a new method of self-recording of blood pressure (BP) that requires only a BP cuff. The method is easy and fast but cannot be used by all subjects. We describe 21 normal subjects, 14 hypertensive patients, and 20 patients studied at cardiac catheterization. In all three groups the new technique, the sensory detection method (SDM), showed no significant differences from the routine indirect BP and from the direct arterial BP in patients undergoing catheterization. Some 15% of patients who were unable to use this method were easily identified during the testing and instructing of the technique. The simplicity of the SDM may increase patient vigilance and compliance to antihypertensive regimens.