A novel technique has been developed to enhance the accuracy of blood pressure readings by utilizing ankle measurements, particularly beneficial for individuals unable to undergo arm blood pressure measurements.

A recent study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School, as reported in BMJ Open and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), examined data from more than 33,000 individuals to establish a personalized predictive model for more precise estimation of arm blood pressure based on ankle readings, surpassing existing methods. The research team has introduced an online calculator to aid healthcare professionals and patients in effectively interpreting these readings.

High blood pressure affects over one billion people worldwide, elevating the risk of severe health conditions such as heart, brain, and kidney diseases. It is crucial to accurately measure and interpret blood pressure readings. While arm blood pressure measurement is common, certain individuals face challenges due to disabilities, amputations, or conditions like stroke. Ankle blood pressure readings can serve as an alternative, but they tend to be higher than arm values. The conventional guidelines for managing blood pressure rely solely on arm readings, leading to complexities in accurately estimating values based on ankle measurements and potentially resulting in misdiagnoses.

Professor Chris Clark, the lead researcher at the University of Exeter Medical School, emphasized the significance of this new technique, stating that it could provide a more precise blood pressure reading for approximately two percent more individuals. While this may seem like a small percentage, considering that around a third of adults have high blood pressure and the prevalence increases with age, the impact is substantial. The NHS Health Check Programme alone diagnoses 38,000 new cases annually in England, indicating that a two percent improvement could prevent 750 potential misdiagnoses each year in England and a significant number globally.

The study involved statistical modeling of arm and ankle blood pressure data from 33,710 individuals worldwide, with an average age of 58 years and 45 percent female, to establish the relationship between arm and ankle blood pressures, predict arm blood pressure using ankle readings, and forecast crucial health outcomes like the risk of heart attacks based on ankle blood pressure measurements.

This innovative research has the potential to address health disparities by offering accurate and personalized blood pressure assessments for individuals who previously faced challenges in obtaining precise arm blood pressure readings. In the UK alone, an estimated 10,000 adults with upper limb loss and 75 percent of the country's 1.3 million stroke survivors experiencing upper limb dysfunction could benefit from this advancement.

The Stroke Association and Thalidomide Trust provided support for this study, recognizing the importance of accurate blood pressure monitoring, particularly for individuals with disabilities or health conditions affecting arm blood pressure measurement.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, highlighted the impact of high blood pressure on stroke incidence and the challenges faced by stroke survivors in obtaining accurate blood pressure readings. She emphasized the role of precise blood pressure measurements in stroke prevention and alleviating the concerns of individuals already coping with the aftermath of a stroke.

Professor Kevin Munro, Director of NIHR's Research for Patient Benefit Programme, commended the research for offering a solution to the critical issue of monitoring blood pressure in individuals unable to undergo upper arm measurements. Accurate blood pressure monitoring is essential for maintaining overall health, and this innovative approach supported by NIHR funding will enhance the detection and management of high blood pressure.

The study, titled 'Arm Based on LEg blood pressures (ABLE-BP): Can systolic ankle blood pressure measurements predict systolic arm blood pressure? An individual participant data meta-analysis from the INTERPRESS-IPD Collaboration,' has been published in BMJ Open. The online calculator is accessible at: ABLE-BP Tool.

Sue Kent, a TV presenter from Swansea with an upper limb disability due to Thalidomide, shared her experience of challenges in obtaining accurate blood pressure readings. Despite her unique circumstances, she expressed hope that this new method could provide her and countless others with a reliable means of monitoring blood pressure, offering reassurance and potentially facilitating early diagnosis of health issues.