The Particulars: Achieving accurate blood pressure (BP) measurements is essential to providing optimal anti-hypertensive treatment. Researchers have hypothesized that BP levels rise when mobile phone calls are received.
Data Breakdown: During one of two consecutive series of six BP measurements, patients in a study with mild-to-moderate hypertension received three calls on their mobile phones from an unknown number. During exposure to these phone calls, patients had an average increase in systolic BP of 7.1 mm Hg. Statistically significant increases in diastolic BP and heart rate were not observed.
Take Home Pearls: Receiving mobile phone calls when BP is being measured appears to significantly increase systolic BP in people with hypertension. This may lead clinicians to overestimate BP levels.
