TOPLINE:
Blood pressure (BP) measurements taken in a public space — with and without ambient noise — were minimally different from readings obtained in a private, quiet office. Mean systolic BP varied by less than 1 mm Hg between settings. Although guidelines advise measuring BP in a quiet place, public venues may be valid options to screen for hypertension, researchers say.
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted a randomized crossover trial, with BP measurements taken in a quiet clinical research office and at a public food market near Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
- A total of 108 adults had their BP measured under three conditions: In the quiet office, at the noisy public market, and at the same market but wearing earplugs.
- The study population had a mean age of 56 years, and 45% had systolic…