Blood pressure measurement: method that stood the test of time
N.V. Drobotya, E.Sh. Guseynova, A.A. Pirozhenko

Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don

Auscultatory method for determining blood pressure (BP), proposed at the beginning of the last century by a Russian surgeon and scientist N.S. Korotkov, is widely used now in clinical practice. It is the basis for the diagnosis of hypertension (H). To obtain reliable BP values, it is necessary to comply with a number of mandatory requirements and conditions, which are set out in the relevant recommendations. In the light of national recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and European recommendations of 2018, the article discusses current views on the classification of BP levels, the algorithm for screening and diagnosis of hypertension, as well as target levels of BP in various patient populations. In conditions of inadequate control of BP in the population, the importance of self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) at home is emphasized, which can significantly improve patient compliance and, accordingly, the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. This method of BP control has a number of additional benefits over the traditional clinical measurement of BP. In turn, the information content of the SMBP results is predetermined by the correct measurement technique and reliability of used sphygmomanometers. Main requirements for modern sphygmomanometers are discussed.

Key words: BP measurement, hypertension, self-monitoring of blood pressure, varieties of sphygmomanometers, sphygmomanometer.
For citation: Drobotya N.V., Guseynova E.Sh., Pirozhenko A.A. Blood pressure measurement: method that stood the test of time // RMJ. 2018. № 11(I). P. 36–40.