Are Free Blood Pressure Tests at Pharmacies Accurate?
Q. Are the free blood pressure tests at pharmacies accurate?
A. The technology and reliability of blood pressure monitors have come a long way. Portable monitors with accurate digital reads can be had now for under $50.
Even when the devices are true, however, they are inevitably subject to operator error. A patient could cut pressure off with a twisted shirt sleeve or still be winded from the walk to the pharmacy. Inaccurate reads can make users nervous—not a good formula for the hypertensive set.
Never self-medicate based on the results of your own BP test. Even with a pharmacist’s help, the only action taken should be recording the numbers accurately and reporting them to your physician.
When in doubt, visit your doctor and strap on the ol’ sphygmomanometer—that’s the one with the Velcro cuff and a rubber hand pump.
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Rich Maloof lives in Brooklyn, New York. He specializes in health topics, music and children’s literature. He has written for CNN, Yahoo!, Billboard and the “For Dummies” book series.
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