As of: February 27, 2024, 3:53 p.m
By: Susanne Sasse
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High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Cardiologist Prof. Volker Klauss explains how to measure your blood pressure correctly and what mistakes you need to avoid.
One in four people in Germany suffers from high blood pressure, technically known as arterial hypertension.
In this case, the pressure in the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the organs is chronically increased.
With multiple measurements, the blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg.
A study found in 2021 that the number of people with high blood pressure has doubled since 1990 - to now 1.3 billion sufferers.
Also alarming is the fact that almost half of these people with high blood pressure do not know about their disease.
This is because elevated blood pressure does not cause any symptoms for a long time.
“But if the values are too high, the risk of stroke increases immensely over the years,” warns Munich cardiologist Prof. Volker Klauss.
Prof. Volker Klauss explains to editor Susanne Sasse how to measure blood pressure correctly.
© Markus Götzfried
Measuring blood pressure at home: Many people measure incorrectly
He also sees the huge problem in the fact that many people measure incorrectly at home - and then draw incorrect conclusions from incorrect data.
“Various errors can have crept in that falsify the values and therefore make them unusable,” says Prof. Klauss and explains: “Everything can happen, from the wrong device to the wrong measurement technology to a bad time for the measurement.
If several errors happen at once, it may be that the data collected is a completely wrong starting point for a therapy recommendation.”
Blood pressure can be measured using a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm.
© Anthony Photography/Imago
“Many measuring devices for home use show incorrect results,” warns Prof. Klauss.
A study by
Stiftung Warentest
confirms his alarming observation: only three of the ten devices tested were good.
By the way: In its November 2023 issue, Stiftung Warentest also examined a smartwatch that also measures blood pressure using pulse wave analysis, namely the
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
.
It costs around 300 euros.
The testers attested that it had “surprisingly good measurement accuracy”.
However, there is the caveat that the smartwatch is only good if it is calibrated regularly every 28 days.
To do this, the measurement results of the watch must be compared with those of a classic blood pressure monitor.
Unfortunately, it also does not work reliably when blood pressure is significantly elevated.
The accuracy of all home blood pressure monitors tested was at best satisfactory
In order to check whether the medication prescribed for high blood pressure is working, many patients measure their blood pressure themselves.
The
Stiftung Warentest
examined six upper arm and four wrist devices for its “test” magazine (issue 11/2023).
▶ Test winner Omron X7
(promotional link)
: This device for measuring the upper arm, which is available online at an average price of 85 euros, received an overall grade of 2.3.
Although the measurement accuracy is only satisfactory, the accuracy of repeated measurements is very good.
The device can be paired with an app and the sensitive data is well secured.
▶ Test winner II: Omron RS4
(promotional link)
: The Omron RS4 for the wrist costs an average of 49 euros.
It also received a grade of 2.3.
Like the manufacturer's other device, it received a “satisfactory” rating in terms of measurement accuracy and a “very good” rating in terms of repeatability – and also in the drop test.
When it comes to handling, the testers gave it a grade of 2.1; the accuracy when used incorrectly was “satisfactory”.
▶ VisocorOM60
(promotional link) : The
Visocor OM60
model
for measuring the upper arm is quite cheap at 28.70 euros and received a “good” grade of 2.5.
However, when it comes to measuring accuracy, it is only satisfactory and the repeatability is only good.
Handling is rated as “good” at 1.8, but in the drop test the device only received a “satisfactory” rating, as did accuracy in the event of incorrect operation.
▶ BeurerBM81
(promotional link)
: The
Beurer BM 81 easy-Lock
upper arm blood pressure monitor costs an average of 126 euros.
It received a grade of “satisfactory” (3.0).
Measurement accuracy and repeatability were satisfactory.
Handling is rated as good at 2.5, and the basic protection of personal data on the device, which comes with an app, is also good at 1.9.
Creating a user account is voluntary.
▶ Boso medicus exclusive
(promotional link)
: The upper arm blood pressure monitor
Boso medicus exclusive
only received the test grade “adequate” (3.9).
The measuring accuracy of the device, which does not have an app, was only sufficient, but the repeatability was good.
The device received a “satisfactory” rating (3.0) in terms of susceptibility to faults and a good rating in terms of handling.
The accuracy in the event of incorrect operation is sufficient.
Cardiologist recommends having your blood pressure monitor checked by a doctor
“Important: Make sure that you buy a blood pressure monitor with a pneumatic, i.e. inflatable, cuff,” advises Prof. Klauss.
He considers other devices to be unsuitable.
In general, the cardiologist advises taking the blood pressure monitor with you to the doctor so that its measurement accuracy can be checked using a control device.
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Always measure several times in a row
To increase the accuracy of the measurement result, it is recommended to take measurements several times in a row, but with two-minute intervals.
© Westend61/Imago
“It is important to always measure two or, at best, three times, one minute apart,” says Prof. Klauss.
Because it's not that rare that you get excited when you take the first measurement and then the value is wrong.
By the way: Everyone should have their blood pressure measured on both arms by a doctor before taking measurements at home, advises Prof. Klauss.
Because the values on both arms often differ.
If the measurements on both arms differ by up to ten mmHg, this can be tolerated, says Klauss.
But from a difference of 15 mmHg you have to have it checked whether there is a vascular disease.
If the values in one arm are higher than the other, you should always measure on the arm with the higher values.
On the topic: Blood pressure monitors – new products with a health bonus
Don't miss out: You can find everything about health in the newsletter of our partner 24vita.de.
The cuff for the upper arm must fit
Cuffs for the upper arm are available in three sizes on most devices.
It's important to choose the right size here, says Klauss: "In this respect, you shouldn't order anything online, but rather choose the cuff in a specialist shop." Prof. Klauss recommends upper arm measuring devices for home use.
“In my opinion, devices for the wrist are at most something for vacation.”
Heart expert Prof. Volker Klauss.
© Andreas Koehler
Develop a measurement routine
Prof. Klauss recommends developing a routine for measuring blood pressure.
Measure regularly, preferably at the same time in the morning and evening, and document the values in writing.
If you have severe irregularities, seek medical advice.
Keep your blood calm when measuring
When measuring blood, keep calm – and sit down quietly for five minutes beforehand.
Place your legs side by side on the floor and do not cross them.
Stay still during the measurement and do not do anything else at the same time.
Heavy food also affects blood pressure
Excitement, incorrect arm position, the cigarette or a drink containing caffeine such as coffee shortly before the measurement - the values quickly become incorrect.
This is especially true for alcohol, but heavy food can also affect blood pressure.
“This is particularly tragic because many patients put in enormous effort and then receive data that is not correct and can lead to incorrect therapeutic decisions,” warns Prof. Klauss.
Always measure at heart level
The cuff should be neither too tight nor too loose.
Do not roll up tight sleeves, instead take the top off.
Measure at heart level.
“Many mistakes happen here because the patients either stretch their arm upwards or let it hang too low,” says Prof. Klauss.
If you are measuring the upper arm, the measuring device should be placed at heart level and the forearm should rest loosely on a table.
If you measure on your wrist, stretch it and bring the measuring device to heart level by bending your arm.
The cuff fits - and the values are good: The blood pressure that Prof. Volker Klauss measured on Susanne Sasse was 115 to 73 mmHg.
© Markus Götzfried
Many people measure incorrectly - and may then lull themselves into a false sense of security.
Prof. Volker Klauss
This is what the two measurements mean
When it comes to blood pressure, there are two measurements: The first value - the higher one - indicates the systolic pressure in the vessels when the heart contracts.
Second is the diastolic value, when the heart relaxes again.
Measurements are made in mmHg, which means millimeters of mercury.
From a systolic value of 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic value of 90 mmHg, blood pressure is considered elevated.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.