Professor Pham Manh Hung, Director of the Cardiovascular Institute - Hospital 198, noted that while blood pressure measurement is a simple technique, errors are widespread, both in the community and at some healthcare facilities. Many people measure their blood pressure immediately after walking, climbing stairs, or drinking coffee. Others measure while talking, using their phone, or sitting with crossed legs. There are also frequent cases of incorrect cuff placement or using a cuff size unsuitable for the arm.
"These errors can falsely increase or decrease blood pressure by several to tens of mmHg, leading to incorrect diagnoses or inappropriate treatment", said Professor Hung.
For accurate blood pressure measurement, patients should rest for at least 5 minutes beforehand. They should avoid smoking, drinking coffee, strong tea, alcohol, or strenuous activity within 30 minutes prior. During measurement, the patient should sit with their back supported, both feet flat on the floor, and not cross their legs. The arm should be placed at heart level, and the cuff must be appropriate for the arm's circumference. Talking or using a phone during measurement is not advised. It is recommended to measure blood pressure multiple times at different times of the day and record the readings to assist doctors in making a more precise assessment.
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Residents measure blood pressure at Tang Nhon Phu ward health station, TP HCM, 4/2026. Photo: Quynh Tran
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1,3 billion people globally currently suffer from hypertension. It is a leading cause of stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney failure, and premature death. Alarmingly, nearly half of those affected are unaware they have hypertension because the condition often presents no clear symptoms.
In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health reports that about one in four adults has hypertension. Many cases are only discovered after dangerous complications have already arisen. Hypertension is common but dangerous due to its silent progression. Patients can remain healthy for many years before experiencing a stroke or myocardial infarction.
Furthermore, hypertension is increasingly affecting younger individuals, attributed to work pressure, prolonged stress, high-salt diets, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, late nights, and alcohol abuse. Many people under 40 have the condition but are unaware, believing they are still healthy.
WHO refers to hypertension as a "silent killer" because many cases are only detected after a severe cardiovascular event. Therefore, doctors recommend that adults actively monitor their blood pressure regularly, even in the absence of symptoms.
"Do not wait until a stroke occurs to measure your blood pressure. Remember your blood pressure reading as you remember your age", Professor Hung advised.
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