Consumer champion Which? has revealed that only two of eight blood pressure monitors it tested passed all accuracy assessments. Four of the devices passed half of the tests, while two failed all accuracy checks.
Which? tested monitors from brands including Boots, Braun, Kinetik, Omron, and Withings. The tests involved over 1,300 readings from a diverse panel and compared devices against the AAMI/ISO Universal standard, British & Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) criteria, and mercury sphygmomanometers.
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed to Which? that the NHS does not endorse medical devices. Consumers are advised to look for monitors with the BIHS logo, CE marking, British Heart Foundation validation, or an international validation protocol instead of claims of 'NHS-approved'.
Dr Pauline Swift, chair of Blood Pressure UK, recommends taking two readings a minute apart every day for a week, ideally in the morning before breakfast or medication, and again before bed. For accurate results, individuals should sit quietly for five minutes with their back supported, feet flat, and arm rested at heart level, placing the cuff on bare skin.