Newsroom

Study finds large number of home blood pressure monitors are inaccurate


July 13, 2016



A retrospective study led by Dr. Swapnil Hiremath found that almost a third of the home blood pressure monitors used by patients at The Ottawa Hospital were inaccurate. Home blood pressure devices are typically validated by the manufacturer based on AAMI standards, but are rarely checked for accuracy in the real world. The team reviewed the charts of 210 patients who brought a home blood pressure monitor to their appointment. The study published in PLOS ONE found that around 30 percent of the home monitors reported values different by 5 mm Hg compared to the gold standard mercury blood pressure gauge. Relying on these incorrect measurements could lead to over- or under-treatment of high blood pressure. The authors recommend that the accuracy of these widely-used devices should be further investigated.

Authors: Marcel Ruzicka, Ayub Akbari , Eva Bruketa, Jeanne Françoise Kayibanda, Claude Baril, Swapnil Hiremath.

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion


The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care.

University of Ottawa


The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

For further information, please contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca