Checking blood pressure at home can lead to serious health issues: Experts

Mumbai: Inaccurate blood pressure readings can mislead the person to be ill. As per the study published in the American Journal of hypertension, in 2017, 70 per cent of at-home blood pressure monitors are wrong and inaccuracy could have serious health consequences. Health experts have advise people should avoid self medication and regularly visit the doctor to get accurate readings.

Dr Behram Pardiwala, Internal medicine expert, Wockhardt hospital, Mumbai central, said people with hypertension need to be extra careful while monitoring their blood pressure at-home as hypertension is a ‘silent killer’. “About 10 per cent of the people who visit have complain of getting inaccurate readings after they check their blood pressure at home,” said Pardiwala.

Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, Sir H N reliance foundation hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, said prevalence of hypertension in the urban population is 30 per cent and 20-22 per cent, in the rural population. “People should exercise and opt for relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga which can help them to destress, and take your blood pressure medications,” Dr Bhamre said.