The Accuracy in Measurement of Blood Pressure (AIM‐BP) collaborative: Background and rationale

Abstract

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