Finger systolic pressure: its use in screening for hypertension and monitoring. Issue 6550 (27th September 1986)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Close, A; Hamilton, G; Muriss, S
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 293:Issue 6550(1986)
• Page Start: 775
• Page End: 778
• Publication Date: 1986-09-27
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.293.6550.775
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : A finger sphygmomanometer was compared with a mercury column sphygmomanometer for its ability to screen for hypertension. A total of 881 patients used each machine, both in initial screening and then for monitoring. The finger sphygmomanometer had a specificity of 98.5% in routine screening as compared with 97.6% for the mercury column device. Sensitivity of the finger device was 98.2%. These findings suggest that the finger sphygmomanometer using finger systolic pressure alone is adequate for screening and monitoring blood pressure.