HEARTS in the Americas: Blood Pressure Measurement – PAHO/WHO

Accurate blood pressure measurement is key for the effective diagnosis, prevention and control of hypertension. That can be achieved with the use of clinically validated automated devices, use of a correct protocol measurement and proper patient preparation. This page features infographics on measurement protocols, a list of virtual resources for finding validated monitors, WHO technical specifications for automatic monitors, and related literature.

To obtain an accurate measurement of blood pressure, it is necessary to adopt a series of procedures that include the preparation of the patient before taking blood pressure, technique used by the health worker, selection of a quiet space, and use of an accurate blood pressure monitor. Good practice includes taking measurements on both arms at the initial visit, and then continuing to use the arm with the highest measurement. At follow-up visits, two or more readings should be taken at each visit and the mean calculated.

HEARTS in the Americas has identified that the issue of accuracy of blood pressure measurement is key to ensuring the advancement of the initiative as it is a crucial factor for the correct diagnosis and management of hypertension. Measuring blood pressure with non-validated equipment is a serious problem of quality of health services and a matter of patient safety. Therefore, it is working with countries on the use of correct measurement protocols, validation of automated blood pressure measuring devices, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to guarantee the exclusive use of validated devices.

Virtual Course on accurate automated blood pressure measurement (2020)

Improve timely diagnosis of hypertension and the quality of treatment in essential hypertensive patients to prevent cardiovascular complications.

ACCESS To COURSE

REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING AN ACCURATE BLOOD PRESSURE READING

1. Use validated automated monitors or, if not available, calibrated aneroid devices.

2. Measure blood pressure in a quiet place.

3. Follow the protocol below:

— Don´t have a conversation. Talking or active listening adds up to 10 mmHg

— Support arm at heart level. Unsupported arm adds up to 10 mmHg

— Put the cuff on bare arm. Thick clothing adds up to 5-50 mmHg

— Use correct cuff size. Cuff too small adds up to 2-10 mmHg

— Support feet. Unsupported feet adds up to 6 mmHg

— Keep legs uncrossed. Crossed legs adds up to 2-8 mmHg

— Have empty bladder. Full bladder adds up to 10 mmHg

— Support back. Unsupported back adds to mmHg

HEARTS in the Americas: Regulatory Pathway to the Exclusive Use of Validated Blood Pressure Measuring Devices

This publication seeks to contribute to meeting these recommendations by providing a practical tool for governments to improve their national regulatory frameworks to improve accuracy of blood pressure measuring devices (BPMDs), in turn contributing to the exclusive use of accuracy validated automated BPMDs in primary health care (PHC) facilities by 2025. This publication can also guide the development of procurement mechanisms that will ensure exclusive availability of BPMDs in PHC facilities. Specifically, this publication will provide a brief background on the importance of using validated BPMDs and highlight key elements of regulations related to pre-market approvals to promote accurate BPMDs.

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WHO technical specifications for automated non-invasive blood pressure measuring devices with cuff

The document presents WHO’s guidance on blood pressure measuring devices (BPMDs), and it responds to concern about the lack of accurate, good-quality devices, especially in low-and middle-income countries. The focus of the publication is on automated non-invasive BPMDs with cuff, including characteristics, regulatory requirements and standards

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Technical resources relevant to the accuracy of blood pressure measurement

In this note we present a compilation of the most relevant available technical resources in the three key components of the HEARTS blood pressure measurement strategic area. The resources listed include links to scientific articles, and technical and communication materials developed by PAHO and other institutions. The purpose is to provide resources that can be useful for policy makers, health professionals, regulatory agencies, professional societies and the public.

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Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Workshop on Regulatory Frameworks and Procurement of Blood Pressure Measuring Devices for Use in Primary Health

The recommendations emerging from this workshop focus on inaccuracies of aneroid blood pressure measuring devices and the need to use accurate validated automated electronic monitors. This position is consistent with the HEARTS Module Access to Essential Medicines and Technology (page 37, Table 7), which indicates that validated automated electronic devices are preferred, and with the Lancet Commission on Hypertension (Sharman J et al., 2020).

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— Sharman JE, O’Brien E, Alpert B, et al. Lancet Commission on Hypertension group position statement on the global improvement of accuracy standards for devices that measure blood pressure. J Hypertens. 2020;38(1):21-29. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000002246

— Sharman JE, O’Brien E, Alpert B, et al. Declaración de posición del Grupo de la Comisión Lancet de Hipertensión con respecto a la mejora mundial de las normas de exactitud para los dispositivos de medición de la presión arterial. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2020;44:e21. Published 2020 Mar 1. doi:10.26633/RPSP.2020.21

— Padwal R, Campbell NRC, Schutte AE, et al. Optimizing observer performance of clinic blood pressure measurement: a position statement from the Lancet Commission on Hypertension Group. J Hypertens. 2019;37(9):1737-1745. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000002112

— Padwal R, Campbell NRC, Schutte AE, et al. Optimización del desempeño del observador al medir la presión arterial en el consultorio: declaración de posición de la Comisión Lancet de Hipertensión. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2020;44:e88. Published 2020 Jul 15. doi:10.26633/RPSP.2020.88

— ISO 81060-2:2018. Non-invasive sphygmomanometers — Part 2: Clinical investigation of intermittent automated measurement type

Blood pressure test – NHS

A blood pressure test checks if your blood pressure is healthy, or if it’s high or low.

Blood pressure is the term used to describe the strength with which your blood pushes on the sides of your arteries as it’s pumped around your body.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is not usually a problem, although it can cause dizziness and fainting in some people.

High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase your risk of developing serious problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, if it’s not treated.

Having this quick test is the only way to find out what your blood pressure is – and it could save your life.

When and where to get your blood pressure tested

You should have a blood pressure test if you’re worried about your blood pressure at any time.

If you’re over 40, you can have this test done as part of an NHS Health Check, which is offered to adults in England aged 40 to 74 every 5 years.

If you have been diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, or you have a high risk of developing either, you may need more frequent checks of your blood pressure.

You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:

• your local GP surgery
• some pharmacies
• some workplaces

How blood pressure is tested

Blood pressure machines vary, but they’re all a type of measuring device, which often have an arm cuff attached to it.

The cuff is usually wrapped around your upper arm and filled with air until it feels tight. This can feel uncomfortable but it only lasts a few seconds.

It’s important to relax and not talk during this time, because this is when your blood pressure is measured.

If a healthcare professional is doing this for you, they may also use a stethoscope to record your blood pressure.

An automatic device usually picks up the measurements from sensors in the arm cuff, which are sent to a digital display.

You should get the results straight away.

Understanding your blood pressure reading

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is given as 2 numbers:

• systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out
• diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart rests between beats

The highest number is always the systolic pressure and it’s always given first. For example, a blood pressure given as “120 over 80” or 120/80mmHg means a systolic pressure of 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg.

As a general guide:

• normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
• high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher
• low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower

If your reading is between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg, you may be at risk of developing high blood pressure. There are things you can do to help prevent high blood pressure.

Testing your blood pressure at home

Your GP may suggest 24-hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) if they think you may have high blood pressure (hypertension).

ABPM tests your blood pressure regularly over 24 hours, by using a cuff attached to a portable device that’s worn on your waist.

You can continue with your daily activities during this time.

If you want to regularly check your blood pressure at home, you can buy a machine.

Blood pressure devices for home use

If you want to check your blood pressure regularly at home, you can buy a digital blood pressure machine.

Choose a machine that measures your blood pressure at your upper arm, not your wrist or finger.

Let your GP know you’re doing this.

Information:

Find out more:

• The British Heart Foundation: How to choose a blood pressure monitor and measure your blood pressure at home
• Blood Pressure UK: How to measure your blood pressure at home

Page last reviewed: 08 November 2021
Next review due: 08 November 2024

Basic rules for measuring blood sugar – what to look for? @ Veresuhkur.

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Basic rules for measuring blood sugar – what to look for?

Kadri Penyam

How can I tell if my meter is working? Why do different glucometers show different results? How to measure blood sugar correctly? Let’s try to find the answer to these and other questions.

According to Linus Medical spokesperson Anna Nucca, when measuring blood sugar, you should follow the basic rules that at first glance seem simple and logical, but still need to be repeated.

Clean hands and a reliable glucometer

The first thing to remember is to wash your hands with soap and water before measuring your blood sugar. Hands must be clean and dry. “When cleaning a tangerine, we don’t think about it, but sweet juice (or any other food) on our hands affects the result. Hands are best washed with water, but if this is not possible, you can disinfect your fingers if necessary. In this case, to obtain a reliable result you should wait a bit so that by the time the puncture is performed, the alcohol has already evaporated from the skin,” Nukka noted, adding that the first drop should be wiped off and the second should be used for measurement.

It is quite normal if, when taking blood from different fingers, we get a little, only up to 1 mmol / l, different results. “Due to blood circulation, blood sugar levels change every second, hence the different results. You should not panic if the blood taken from one finger showed 5.2, and from the other finger – 5.8,” she stressed. With gestational diabetes, the rules are slightly different, and medical advice should be sought.

Different blood glucose meters also show different results when measuring. Why is that? “Because glucometers use different enzymes, or reagents, to get the reaction. We recommend using the same glucometer when measuring – this will avoid confusion and help better control diabetes,” Nukka explained, adding that you can’t take different glucometers and trust the one that shows the result you like.

Although glucometers have a long service life and one meter can last for years, it is still advisable to have it checked annually by the importer or diabetes clinic. For this, a special control solution is used. Verification takes only a few minutes. You should not buy such a solution for home use, because after it is opened, it only lasts a few months, and only one drop is required to check.

False representations are tenacious

Diabetes nurse Marie Klauks, who sees patients at East-Tallinn Central Hospital, noted some more errors in measuring blood sugar.

“The first step is to check that the test strip is inserted correctly. Sometimes patients insert the test strip into the meter with the end where the blood is applied. on top of the test strip, some on the tip of the test strip It is important to check the expiration date of the test strips on the packaging so that they are not expired.0005

“It is not uncommon for a patient to be given a glucometer in a pharmacy but not given any instructions for it, or they show how the meter works, but the patient does not remember the first time. In this case, you should ask the family nurse or the diabetes center again.

New models are more accurate and convenient

In addition to the fact that devices for performing a puncture have improved over time, new models of blood glucose meters have been developed. memory up to 480 results with date and time. This allows you to see your average sugar in terms of 7, 14, 30 and 9 without unnecessary calculations.0 days. For example, the Medismart Ruby glucometer allows you to mark the measurement result before and after meals. There are test strips designed for men and the elderly. They are larger and more comfortable to hold. The test will require the same amount of blood as regular test strips,” Nukka listed. what the person was doing before the measurement, and what they will do after, and, based on this, determine the dose of insulin.

Worth remembering!

• Wash hands with soap and water and dry thoroughly.
• Use a second drop to measure, wipe off the first with clean gauze.
• Use the test strip correctly, consult a specialist for advice.
• Check your blood sugar at the same time.
• If the result is higher or lower than usual, do not panic, think about what you were doing before the measurement.
• Do not change your treatment regimen without the advice of a specialist.

Contour TS Glucometer for measuring blood glucose with free home delivery from VkusVill

VkusVill

Glucometer Contour TS (Contour TS) is one of the modern, simple and reliable devices, it provides an accurate result easily: – The accuracy of the device complies with the requirements of the new international standard ISO 15197:2013; – The device uses “No Coding” technology. This technology allows the meter to code automatically each time a test strip is inserted, thereby eliminating the need for manual code entry, a common source of errors. No need to waste time entering a code or a code chip/strip; -Requires a small drop of blood only 0.6 µl – it will be enough to get an accurate result; – The device carries out fast measurement in just 5 seconds. Specifications: 1. The system uses a modern enzyme in the test strip, which has practically no interaction with drugs, which ensures accurate measurements when taking, for example, paracetamol, ascorbic acid / vitamin C. 0 to 70% – this allows you to get high measurement accuracy with a wide range of hematocrit, which can be lowered or increased as a result of various diseases. 3. The device provides reliability in wide climatic conditions: – operating temperature range 5°C – 45°; – humidity 10 – 93% r.h. humidity; – height above sea level – up to 3048 m. 4. Does not require coding – the code does not need to be entered manually. 5. Small blood drop size – only 0.6μl, “underfill” detection function. 6. The system measures in just 5 seconds, providing fast results. 7. Memory – saves the last 250 results. 8. Memory for 250 results – data storage for analysis of results for 4 months *. 9. Technology of “capillary sampling” of blood with a test strip. 10. Possibility of taking blood from alternative places (palm, shoulder). 11. Ability to use all types of blood (arterial, venous, capillary). 12. The expiration date of the test strips (indicated on the packaging) does not depend on the moment you open the vial of test strips. 13. Easily visible orange test strip port. 14. Large screen (38mm x 28mm). 15. Automatic marking of values ​​obtained from measurements taken with control solution – these values ​​are also excluded from the calculation of averages. 16. Port for data transfer to PC. 17. Measurement range 0.6 – 33.3 mmol/l. 18. The principle of measurement is electrochemical. 19. Plasma calibration. 20. Battery: One 3V lithium battery, 225mAh capacity (DL2032 or CR2032), rated for approximately 1000 measurements. 21. Dimensions (dimensions) – 71 x 60 x 19 mm (height x width x thickness). 22. Weight 56.7 g. 23. Lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. *Based on an average of 4 measurements per day

Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter / Pharmacy

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Vkusvill

895 rub/pc 895. 00 895.00

from Planet Health partner

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We deliver partner medical products. Can be ordered separately, can be together with the products. Delivery times are the same.

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Description

The Contour TS blood glucose meter is one of the modern, simple and reliable devices, it provides an accurate result easily:
– The accuracy of the device complies with the requirements of the new international standard ISO 15197:2013;
-Instrument uses “No Coding” technology. This technology allows the meter to code automatically each time a test strip is inserted, thereby eliminating the need for manual code entry, a common source of errors. No need to waste time entering a code or a code chip/strip;
-Requires a small drop of blood of only 0.6 µl – this will be enough to get an accurate result;
– The device makes a quick measurement in just 5 seconds.

Specifications:

1. The system uses a state-of-the-art enzyme in the test strip that has virtually no interaction with drugs, which ensures accurate measurements when taking, for example, paracetamol, ascorbic acid / vitamin C.

2. The meter performs automatic correction of measurement results with hematocrit from 0 to 70% – this allows you to obtain high measurement accuracy with a wide range of hematocrit, which can be lowered or increased as a result of various diseases.

3. The device provides reliability in wide climatic conditions:
– operating temperature range 5°C – 45°;
– humidity 10 – 93% r.h. humidity;
– height above sea level – up to 3048 m.

4. Does not require coding – the code does not need to be entered manually.

5. Small blood drop size – only 0.6 µl, “underfill” detection function.

6. The system measures in just 5 seconds, providing fast results.

7. Memory – saves the last 250 results.

8. Memory for 250 results – data storage for analysis of results for 4 months*.

9. Capillary blood sampling technology with a test strip.

10. Possibility of taking blood from alternative places (palm, shoulder).

11. Ability to use all types of blood (arterial, venous, capillary).

12. The test strip expiration date (indicated on the package) does not depend on the moment you open the test strip vial.

13. Easily visible orange test strip port.

14. Large screen (38 mm x 28 mm).

15. Automatic marking of values ​​obtained from measurements made with control solution – these values ​​are also excluded from the calculation of averages.

16. Port for data transfer to PC.

17. Measuring range 0.6 – 33.3 mmol/l.

18. Measuring principle – electrochemical.

19. Plasma calibration.

20. Battery: One 3V lithium battery, 225mAh capacity (DL2032 or CR2032), for approximately 1000 measurements.

21. Dimensions (dimensions) – 71 x 60 x 19 mm (height x width x thickness).

22.