Accuracy of Different Types of Blood Pressure Measuring Devices at High Altitude. Data From Highcare-Alps Study

OBJECTIVE: Blood pressure (BP) measuring devices may become inaccurate at high altitude due to low barometric pressure. Aim of this study was to assess the changes in the accuracy of different types of BP measuring devices between sea level and high altitude, taking auscultatory measurements with mercury sphygmomanometer as reference. DESIGN AND METHOD: In the frame of HIGHCARE-ALPS project, we obtained multiple BP measurements in 39 healthy, normotensive volunteers (age:36.4 ± 8.5y, M/F:21/18), using a mercury (MER, reference), an aneroid (ANE), and two validated oscillometric devices [one for home (OSC-HBP; AND UA-767PC) and one for ambulatory (OSC-ABP; AND TM2430)] BP monitoring, at sea level and during acute exposure to high altitude (4559m, 437-439 Torr). BP measurements with the different devices were performed sequentially on the same arm in random order, consistent under both study conditions. RESULTS: Mean systolic (S) and diastolic (D)BP were higher at high altitude than at sea level (MER: 117.6/80.3 vs. 110.9/74.1 mmHg, p