Researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School have developed a groundbreaking method to estimate arm blood pressure from ankle measurements, addressing a critical need for individuals unable to use traditional arm cuffs. Published in BMJ Open, the study analyzed data from over 33,000 people worldwide to create a personalized predictive model. This innovation could prevent thousands of misdiagnoses annually.
High blood pressure affects over a billion people globally and is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. While arm measurements are standard, conditions like limb loss or stroke-related paralysis make this impossible for some patients. Ankle readings often yield higher values, complicating accurate diagnosis.
The Exeter team’s model, based on data from 33,710 individuals (mean age 58, 45% female), improves accuracy by 2%, equating to 750 fewer misdiagnoses yearly in England alone. Professor Chris Clark, the lead researcher, emphasized its broader impact: “For the 10,000 UK adults with upper limb loss or stroke survivors with arm dysfunction, this method restores equitable access to vital health monitoring.”
An accompanying online calculator (ABLE-BP Tool) helps clinicians and patients interpret ankle readings reliably. The study was supported by the Stroke Association and Thalidomide Trust. Juliet Bouverie OBE of the Stroke Association noted its dual benefit: “Accurate ankle readings ease anxiety for survivors and improve stroke prevention.”
- Professor Kevin Munro (NIHR): “This ingenious solution ensures more people can monitor blood pressure—a cornerstone of preventive care.”
- Sue Kent (Thalidomide survivor): “This levels the playing field. No one should guess when it comes to health.”
The new method tackles health inequalities by providing precise blood pressure assessments for underserved populations. Future steps include wider adoption of the calculator and further research into long-term health outcomes.
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