The next time you check your blood pressure in a supermarket or a crowded place, don’t worry that the noise will affect your blood pressure reading, because it doesn’t.
A new study has found very little difference between blood pressure measurements taken in private offices and public places.
Contrary to previous research that favored BP readings in quiet environments, the latest findings suggest that public places may be suitable for blood pressure screening.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore said the findings support the implementation of large-scale screening programs in public places.
About 1.4 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure, but only 50 percent are aware of it and only 20 percent have it under control.
That’s one reason why heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Generalizing and increasing access to blood pressure screening is one way to improve cardiovascular health worldwide.
