Give patients free blood pressure home-monitoring kits

As an emerg MD, I can say that it is not unusual at all to see very anxious patients in the emergency taking their BP's much too often, sometimes up to 4 times per day! They do not understand the readings, nor do they understand normal fluctuations. If they don't feel well for ANY reason, they take their BP, which is often a bit high because they are not feeling well, rather than because of the BP. They then show up in our emergency departments.

I feel that many become quite obsessed with their BP's which is really unnecessary.

I agree with ambulatory BP testing which is automated and interpreted by the physician. Some appropriate patients may benefit from home BP monitors, but I ask the family doctors to be more selective in whom they recommend these for.

Rob Horvath MD.