Key result
Aneroid sphygmomanometers under-read hypertension prevalence by ~2% versus digital and mercury devices but remain suitable.
Why the study?
Does aneroid sphygmomanometer accurately measure blood pressure compared to digital and mercury devices in adults?
Does aneroid sphygmomanometer accurately measure blood pressure compared to digital and mercury devices in adults?
Aneroid sphygmomanometers provide a robust and simple alternative to mercury devices in tropical field conditions, despite a slight under-reading of blood pressure.
Supports aneroid use for field screening where mercury unavailable; leaves open prospective validation of accuracy.
Digital, mercury and aneroid blood pressure measurements were carried out in 400 South American adults. There was slight under-reading of the aneroid instrument (hypertension prevalence 30%, compared with 32% for digital and mercury), but its robustness and simplicity makes it a suitable alternative to mercury machines in tropical field conditions.
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Gill et al. (2004) studied this question. Aneroid sphygmomanometers slightly under-read blood pressure (30% hypertension prevalence vs 32% for digital and mercury devices) but remain a suitable alternative in tropical field conditions.
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