Poor Accuracy of Blood Pressure Measurement Images Online: Implications for Public Health Education
File version
Version of Record (VoR)
Author(s)
Islam, FMA
Cheng, VE
Saad, C
Li, Y
Schutte, AE
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) is a common clinical measurement, now increasingly done at home. Media websites often display images of BP measurement to represent clinical medicine, but many images deviate from guidelines, potentially creating misperceptions on how measurement should be performed. We evaluated the accuracy of BP measurement images online according to the 2023 International Consensus on Standardized Clinic BP Measurement. METHODS: We evaluated the first ≈100 images from each of 11 major stock photo websites. Two independent reviewers assessed each image, resolving disagreements through discussion. Only visible accuracy aspects were scored. RESULTS: Only 14% of images (N=1106) were accurate on all criteria, ranging from 7% at Flickr and Freepik to 28% at iStock. Photo settings included 63% clinical and 37% home-based; 73% by healthcare providers, 24% by patients, and 3% other settings. Images were penalized for the following guideline deviations: back unsupported (73%), forearm not resting on a surface (55%), manual and not electronic device (52%), feet not flat on the floor (36%), doctor or observer talking/laughing (23%), mid-arm not at heart level (19%), patient talking/laughing (18%), legs crossed (13%), cuff on clothing (12%), and patient not sitting (5%). Accuracy levels differed by setting (clinical 8% versus home 25%, P<0.001) and assessors (self 35%, healthcare provider 7%, and other people 13%; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Only 1 in 7 online stock photo images of BP measurement align with clinical guidelines. Media houses, website developers, and the public should be educated on appropriate measurement techniques to ensure accurate BP measurement in the clinic and at home.
Journal Title
Hypertension
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Hypertension is published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited.
Item Access Status
Note
This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advance online version.
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Cardiovascular medicine and haematology
Clinical sciences
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Aminde, LN; Islam, FMA; Cheng, VE; Saad, C; Li, Y; Schutte, AE, Poor Accuracy of Blood Pressure Measurement Images Online: Implications for Public Health Education, Hypertension, 2025