Community Practices and Perceptions Regarding Blood Pressure Measurement Techniques.

Abstract

Background: Despite various blood pressure (BP) measurement methods being available, many people report never or infrequently having their BP measured. There is a gap between clinical guidelines and the implementation of BP monitoring. To bridge that gap, we interviewed community members to understand their practices and perceptions regarding various measurement methods.

Methods: Australian adults who participated in a home BP measurement study were purposively sampled for semi-structured interviews (2023-2024).

Results: Participants (n = 29) were middle-aged (mean 61 ± 12.8 years, 55% female), and most (79%) had diagnosed hypertension. All participants had real-world experience with both clinic and home BP measurements; 15 with 24-hour ambulatory monitoring (24h ABPM); 10 with kiosks; and three used cuffless BP devices. Participants described clinic BP as routine and highly valued direct feedback from doctors. Participants valued home BP due to convenience and the number of measurements they could take. Most participants reported no issues with 24h ABPM, although three experienced severe discomfort or dislike. Concerns about measurement accuracy and privacy were raised by four participants regarding kiosk BP, as devices were sometimes non-standardized and located in open areas. Most participants expressed interest in cuffless BP devices but had limited experience using them.

Conclusions: We have identified barriers associated with clinic, 24-hour ABPM, HBPM, and kiosk BP that need to be addressed to enhance consumer satisfaction and increase monitoring rates, highlighting the need for a coordinated approach involving key health organizations and healthcare professionals.