Why is there a difference when measured by a mechanical and automatic tonometer?

Arterial pressure is not constant. With each stroke of the heart, the pressure changes. It also depends on the time of day, on climatic conditions and on the physical stress experienced by a person.

The reasons for the difference in the measurement results can be several:

  • The state of the body at the time of measurement (stress, physical arousal, fatigue, etc.);
  • Violation of the measurement technique (conversation, movement, uneven breathing, lack of necessary rest before measurement, inappropriate measurement position, taking medications, etc.);
  • Absence of necessary qualification for correct measurement of arterial pressure (when measuring blood pressure by a mechanical device, the individual error can be significant - up to ± 15 mm Hg and more);
  • Malfunction of the device (the device is recalibrated, did not pass the metrological verification in time).