Measure Your Blood Pressure Study| Earn Up to $80
- Jaime P. Morales
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Paid Research Study Information All The Way Down |
Blood pressure is a vital sign of your health. It keeps you alive and functioning, yet many people don’t fully understand what it means or why it matters. From terms like systolic and diastolic to conditions such as hypertension and hypotension, the world of blood pressure can be confusing.
In this guide, we break down the basics, explain the dangers of high and low blood pressure, explore the accuracy of digital monitors, and take a look at the future of non-invasive blood pressure tracking.
We also spotlight a new research opportunity at Columbia University aimed at improving how we monitor blood pressure—one that anyone interested in health research can get involved with.
What is Blood pressure?
Blood Pressure Levels | Systolic Number (Top) | Diastolic Number (Bottom) |
|---|---|---|
Normal | Below 120 | Below 80 |
Elevated | 120-129 | Less Than 80 |
High Blood Pressure 1 | 130-139 | 80-89 |
High Blood Pressure 2 | 140+ | 90+ |
High Blood Pressure 3 | 180+ | 120+ |
Blood pressure is essential to keeping us alive and functioning. Understanding what blood pressure is can potentially save your life, though fully grasping the concept can be complex.
Terms like high blood pressure, low blood pressure, systolic, diastolic, hypertension, and hypotension can be confusing. In this guide, we aim to break down these terms to help you better understand blood pressure and explore what the future of blood pressure monitoring may look like.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood inside your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries, which carry it throughout your body. This occurs 60 to 100 times per minute, 24 hours a day. Arteries deliver oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body, allowing it to function properly.
Having High Blood pressure
Having high blood pressure can be deadly and is generally harmful to your overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as a blood pressure reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher.
Having Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can also be harmful to your body. When blood pressure drops significantly, it may be diagnosed as a condition called hypotension. This occurs when your blood pressure is lower than 90/60 mm Hg, according to the American Heart Association. While low blood pressure is not always dangerous, it can become a concern when accompanied by symptoms that require medical attention.
Measuring Blood pressure
Over the years, various tools have been used to measure blood pressure—from the traditional stethoscope and manual cuff to modern digital blood pressure monitors. But which method is more accurate: a machine or the trained ears of a healthcare professional?
Blood Pressure Machine
Machines have no emotions and, in theory, can detect subtle changes that human ears might miss. However, while this may seem like a reason to trust them more, it's important to remember that machines require regular calibration and testing to ensure they are working correctly. So, are they really the best option?
According to the American Heart Association, home monitoring does not replace regular visits to your doctor. It's also important not to stop taking prescribed blood pressure medications based on home readings without consulting your healthcare provider.
Are Blood Pressure Machines Accurate?
A report from Harvard highlights a major concern: most blood pressure devices available to consumers are not validated for accuracy. In fact, 79% of upper-arm cuff devices and 83% of wrist cuff devices lacked proper validation. Most of the unvalidated arm cuff devices were sold in India or Australia, while unvalidated wrist devices were most commonly sold in the United States or Mexico. Other studies suggest that 85% to 94% of all available blood pressure monitors are not properly validated, which poses a serious risk for users relying on them for health decisions.
Future of Blood Pressure Reading
Just like with anything else, it takes time to develop a system that works well. Even then, no system is perfect—the goal is to function effectively and accurately most of the time. This is why ongoing testing and improvement are essential. Devices need to be evaluated to see how well they perform, and when they fall short, adjustments must be made.
One example of this is a non-invasive study conducted at Columbia University. It’s a great opportunity for those new to research to get involved and gain experience.
Importantly, race plays a significant role in how treatments and devices perform. Without a large and diverse sample size, we can’t fully understand which blood pressure machines work best for different individuals. Inclusive testing is critical to improving accuracy and effectiveness for all.
Purpose of the Study:
To test how accurate a cuffless, app-connected blood pressure device is compared to a traditional cuff-based monitor.
To see how accuracy changes with different arm/body positions and over time.
Why This Matters:
Traditional cuff devices can be uncomfortable and hard to use regularly.
A cuffless device could make blood pressure tracking easier and more comfortable.
Who Can Join:
English-speaking adults aged 21 or older.
People with or without high blood pressure.
Must be able to have blood pressure measured on both arms.
What Participation Involves:
Two study visits within two weeks.
Blood pressure is measured using both devices in different positions.
Total time commitment is less than 2 hours.
Compensation:
Up to $80 for those who are eligible and complete all parts of the study.
Study contact:
Yaniris Mercado Email: ym2599@cumc.columbia.edu
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