When the age reaches the 30s, blood pressure is one of the health metrics that need to be taken care of. High blood pressure is found in 41% of individuals aged between 30-79 years in Malaysia according to a WHO report in 2019. This is higher than the global average of around 34%. But the latest study from researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that blood pressure readings taken by doctors over the years may not be accurate, causing many to be labeled as having high blood pressure.
For the most accurate reading, researchers say the reading should be taken with the hand placed at the same level as the heart. Hands should also be supported above on a flat surface. If the hand is placed on the lap the systolic pressure reading is 3.9 mmHg higher and the diastolic is 4.0 mmHg higher. Meanwhile, if the hand is placed on the side when the reading is done, the systolic pressure is 6.5 mmHg higher and the diastolic is 4.4 mmHg higher.
Accurate readings need to be taken because reading differences can differentiate between Level 1 and Level 2 high blood pressure. However, researchers say the issue of inaccurate readings only involves automatic blood pressure reading devices and not manual blood pressure reading devices. As automated reading devices are becoming more popular and affordable, these reading errors will occur more often than not.