Assessing techniques of Blood pressare measurement in comparence to American Heart Association standard

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure measurement is an essential condition for diagnosis of hypertension. The objective of the study is to assess blood pressure measurement by in health care centres in tehran, and compare it with AHA[1] standards. In this descriptive and comparative study, observation were performed with a list according to the AHA criteria. Five hundred professionals took part in the study. After measuring blood pressure, the level of concordance between the way the procedure was performed and the recommended one was assessed. 58% of nurses and nurse's students followed the recommended procedures as set before.The other categories of health professionals [Associate Nurse, physicians and Medicine Students] abided by approximately 42%. Educational activities should be implemented to improve standard blood pressure measurement specially among the different kinds of health professionals especially for those who aren't nurses