Researchers in the UK have found a better way to measure blood pressure in the ankle, which could help people who can’t have their blood pressure checked on their arms. This is important because measuring blood pressure correctly is one of the best ways to prevent serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
The new method was developed by a team at the University of Exeter Medical School. They looked at blood pressure data from over 33,000 people around the world to create a special tool that helps doctors estimate what a person’s arm blood pressure would be, based on their ankle reading.
This helps doctors and patients get a more accurate idea of someone’s health, even if arm measurements aren’t possible.
Usually, blood pressure is checked using a cuff wrapped around the upper arm. However, for some people, this isn’t possible.
For example, someone might be missing an arm, or have an injury or condition that affects the arm, such as after a stroke. In the UK alone, about 10,000 adults live with the loss of an upper limb, and around 75% of people who survive a stroke have difficulty using their arms.
Because of these issues, health professionals sometimes measure blood pressure at the ankle instead. But the problem is that ankle blood pressure is normally higher than arm blood pressure.
Since most health guidelines are based on arm readings, this can make ankle readings harder to use. If doctors use the ankle number alone without adjusting it, it can lead to wrong decisions—such as thinking someone has high blood pressure when they don’t, or missing it when they do.
The researchers used computer models to study how ankle and arm blood pressures are related. They gathered readings from tens of thousands of people, with an average age of 58, and nearly half of them were women. With this data, they created an online calculator that doctors and patients can use to get a more accurate estimate of arm blood pressure from the ankle.
The lead researcher, Professor Chris Clark, explained that this new method could make a difference for about 2% more people. That might sound like a small number, but since millions of people have high blood pressure, it could help thousands get the right diagnosis.
In England, for example, the NHS diagnoses about 38,000 new cases of high blood pressure every year. This new method could prevent about 750 misdiagnoses each year in England alone—and many more around the world.
The research also aims to improve healthcare for people who are often left out because of physical limitations. Getting accurate blood pressure readings is key to preventing strokes. According to the Stroke Association, someone in the UK has a stroke every five minutes.
High blood pressure causes about half of those strokes. Many stroke survivors live with arm paralysis, which can make blood pressure checks difficult and cause anxiety. This new ankle method can ease that stress and help stroke survivors stay healthier.
Professor Kevin Munro, who leads a government health research program, praised the study. He said the team found a clever way to solve an important problem. Being able to monitor blood pressure accurately helps people stay healthy, and this method allows more people to benefit from proper blood pressure checks.
In summary, the study found a new, more accurate way to interpret blood pressure readings taken at the ankle. This is a big step forward for people who can’t use their arms for these checks. By using large amounts of data and careful analysis, the researchers created a tool that brings better care to more people.
It helps reduce mistakes in diagnosis and makes sure that everyone, no matter their physical condition, gets the right treatment to protect their heart, brain, and kidneys.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
The research findings can be found in BMJ Open.
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