Patients’ blood pressure increases when tested by a doctor rather than by a nurse, new research shows.
The study looked at more than 1000 people who had blood pressure readings taken by both doctors and nurses during the same visit with readings by doctors recorded significantly higher.
The results are believed to be caused by increased anxiety and nervousness when blood pressure is being taken by a doctor. Lead author Dr Christopher Clark said the findings mean some blood pressure research could have biased results while doctors should not test blood pressure where clinical treatment depends on the outcome.
Read more at University of Exeter