The accuracy in measurement of blood pressure (AIM‐BP) collaborative: background and rationale

Abstract

Blood pressure (BP) measurement, a technique first described over a century ago, is an essential component of clinical care and critical for the detection and management of hypertension.1 Accordingly, the ramifications of inaccurate BP measurement, which is a per‐ sistent and pervasive problem worldwide, are profound.2 Assuming a global prevalence of hypertension of 1.4 billion,3 a 5‐mmHg error in BP measurement has been estimated to result in the incorrect classification of hypertension status in at least 84 million individ‐ uals worldwide.4 In addition, incorrect classification has important ramifications for individual patients, whether it leads to misdiagno‐ sis and inappropriate prescribing of antihypertensive drugs, or to lack of recognition of an clinical condition that can cause devastat‐ ing cardiovascular consequences. The continued rise in the global prevalence of hypertension has made work related to optimizing BP measurement even more critical, and notwithstanding similar initia‐ tives that have been conducted or are ongoing, additional efforts to improve BP measurement on a global scale are clearly needed.5