P080 THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT: ERROR IN APPROXIMATION OF THE TREND TO 120/80 MMHG

Background and Objective: In clinical practice, errors in blood pressure (BP) measurement are all too common carrying significant implications. Accurate BP measurement is vital, yet inaccuracies in recording can skew clinical decisions. This study investigates the widespread practice of documenting BP as 120/80 mmHg, aiming to gauge its prevalence and repercussions within a comprehensive dataset from Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from Colombia's “High-Cost Account” in the period from 2014 to 2018 on 18,481,259 BP measurements from 4,576,091 patients, the study performed a descriptive examination, centering on the most frequently reported (medians) systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results: The findings revealed 120 mmHg (IQR 120-130) as the median SBP and 80 mmHg (IQR 80-70) as the median DBP over the five years. This behavior was maintained consistently in the 5 regions of Colombia, except the systolic median in the Eastern Region. Conclusions: The tendency to approach 120/80 mmHg in BP in primary care centers in Colombia suggests a potential for underestimation or overestimation of hypertension control. This highlights the need to enhance BP measurement accuracy for effective hypertension management. Reviewing the correct methodology and using validated electronic devices is crucial to mitigate diagnostic and therapeutic errors, ensuring precise management of this prevalent condition.