Hunaina Shahab1, Hamza Sohail Khan2, Aysha Almas3, Sohail Abrar Khan4, Aamir Hameed Khan5. 1. Resident, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi. 2. Intern, Ziauddin University, Karachi. 3. Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi. 4. Department of Cardiology, Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi. 5. Department of Cardiology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference in Blood Pressure (BP) readings taken before, during and after the clinic encounter. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Cardiology Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to August 2013. METHODOLOGY: Hypertensive and normotensive participants aged ³ 18 years were recruited. Pre-clinic BP was measured by a nurse and in-clinic BP by a physician. After 15 minutes, two post-clinic BP readings were taken at 1 minute interval. All readings were taken using Omron HEM7221-E. RESULTS: Out of 180 participants, males were 57% and 130 (71%) were hypertensive. Mean SBP (Systolic BP) taken preclinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were: 126 ± 20 mmHg, 131 ± 23 mmHg, 126 ± 20 mmHg and 121 ± 21 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). Mean DBP (Diastolic BP) taken pre-clinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were 77 ± 12 mmHg, 81 ± 13 mmHg, 79 ± 12 mmHg and 79 ± 11 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: BP taken in the post-clinic setting may significantly be the lowest reading in a clinic encounter, making in-clinic BP unreliable to diagnose or manage hypertension.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference in Blood Pressure (BP) readings taken before, during and after the clinic encounter. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Cardiology Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to August 2013. METHODOLOGY:Hypertensive and normotensive participants aged ³ 18 years were recruited. Pre-clinic BP was measured by a nurse and in-clinic BP by a physician. After 15 minutes, two post-clinic BP readings were taken at 1 minute interval. All readings were taken using Omron HEM7221-E. RESULTS: Out of 180 participants, males were 57% and 130 (71%) were hypertensive. Mean SBP (Systolic BP) taken preclinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were: 126 ± 20 mmHg, 131 ± 23 mmHg, 126 ± 20 mmHg and 121 ± 21 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). Mean DBP (Diastolic BP) taken pre-clinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were 77 ± 12 mmHg, 81 ± 13 mmHg, 79 ± 12 mmHg and 79 ± 11 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: BP taken in the post-clinic setting may significantly be the lowest reading in a clinic encounter, making in-clinic BP unreliable to diagnose or manage hypertension.