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Blood pressure variability: the effects of repeated measurement
Insights
Repeated blood pressure (BP) measurements can decrease readings, especially in unaccustomed individuals. Training subjects with repeated BP measurements may prevent inaccurate study results due to BP changes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Clinical measurement techniques
Background:
- Blood pressure (BP) measurement is a common clinical and research procedure.
- Variability in BP readings can be influenced by factors such as measurement frequency and subject acclimatization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of repeated blood pressure measurements on readings.
- To determine if training subjects to repeated BP measurements influences BP variability.
- To assess the relationship between BP changes, anxiety, and hypertension diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Conducted series of 3 BP measurements on two groups: unaccustomed and trained subjects.
- Measured BP of 111 individuals on two occasions, 8 days apart.
- Administered anxiety questionnaires to assess psychological factors.
Main Results:
- Unaccustomed individuals showed decreased BP with repeated measurements, unlike trained individuals.
- Mean BP for the entire group decreased between the two separate measurement occasions.
- Approximately one-third of participants shifted from borderline hypertension to normotension.
- Higher anxiety scores correlated with substantial BP drops between initial measurements.
Conclusions:
- Single BP measurements may overestimate hypertension prevalence.
- Repeated BP measurements can lead to a decrease in observed blood pressure.
- Subject training and acclimatization are crucial for minimizing spurious BP changes in research settings.
- Anxiety may contribute to labile blood pressure readings.
Abstract:
A series off 3 BP measurements were carried out on 2 groups of people. People not accustomed to BP measurements showed a decrease in pressure between the 1st and 3rd cuff inflation, while people trained to having their BP measured showed no such change. Measurement of the BP of 111 people on 2 successive occasions 8 days apart showed that the mean BP of the whole group decreased between visits. Approximately one third of the people showed a drop in pressure bringing them from borderline hypertension to normotension between the 2 visits. People whose BP dropped substantially between the 1st and 2nd visits achieved higher anxiety scores on a questionnaire than did the remainder of the sample. This may partially explain their labile BP. Single measurements tend to overestimate the BP and the frequency of hypertension. Training experimental subjects by repeated measurement of their BP may be useful in preventing spurious BP changes unrelated to experimental manoeuvres.
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