Hypertension is the leading cause of cv death worldwide. It is also called silent killer disease. According to WHO, more than 1.13 billion people have hypertension which will increase up to 1.25 billion by 2025. But despite all modern treatment & lifestyle modifications the BP control rate is approximately 10-12%. This data indicates that Blood pressure control is not satisfactory at all.

Any pressure 140/90 & above is labeled as hypertension.

Errors are bound to occur because in our country it is treated from village quacks to the super-specialist of all the fraternity of medical science.

Common errors 1. History taking like Diet, salt, food, exercise, alcohol, smoking are usually missed. 2. Cuff size, cuff placement in the right way are not proper. 3. Though mercury sphygmomanometer is not used nowadays but other devices like android & electronic ones are not validated regularly with mercury one. 4. Preparation of patient is not up to the mark i.e. 5 mins rest, no tea or coffee drink, empty bladder. Uncrossed legs, supported back & instrument should be at the level of the heart. No cloth underneath the cuff & placement of cuff in the right manner. Take BP in both arms & also in standing & supine position. AVPM is the best way to confirm blood pressure but every patient can’t afford it due to high cost so home monitoring is also a good choice. Usually, office blood pressure is higher than home monitoring; in that case, office blood pressure should not be considered as correct blood pressure.

In old age, BP should be taken with great precaution because the auscultatory gap is very common in these people. Target BP Less than 140/90 in uncomplicated cases. Less than 130/ 80 in complicated cases. i.e. DM, CRF.