Best Rest: Rest Time Before Blood Pressure Measurement Trial

Rest Time Before Blood Pressure Measurement Trial

The objectives of this study are to:

1. Determine the impact of wait time before initiating BP measurement on BP variability
2. Determine the difference in BP variability between measurements by amount of initial rest.

The investigators also aim to:

1. To determine the total time required to obtain a BP measurement.

Hypertension guidelines recommend a minimum of five minute rest time prior to blood pressure (BP) measurements obtained for screening, diagnosis and management of hypertension. This recommended wait time is often not adhered to and is cited as a barrier to regular screening due to length of time, clinic workflow and provider burden. It is unclear if BPs obtained at different rest intervals would provide clinically similar measurements. This study therefore aims to determine if BPs obtained immediately or after 2 minutes are rest are non-inferior to the BPs obtained after the guideline recommended 5 minutes of rest. It also aims to determine the time required to measure BP from start to finish, to allow for easier identification of other potential barriers to regular BP screening practices in busy clinical settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of the following on both arms: rashes, gauze dressings, casts, edema, paralysis, tubes, open sores or wounds, withered arms, A-V shunts, or if blood has been drawn from arm within last week.
• Being mentally impaired, pregnant.
• Arm circumference exceeding 50 cm.