Calibrating blood pressure monitors

Sir,
Regular monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is important for reducing the risk of heart diseases and stroke. But it appears that measurement of BP by both mechanical and digital BP monitors are often not done properly for gathering accurate reading / status. Even in many modern hospitals nurses are not skilled enough to measure blood pressure accurately by sphygmomanometer or digital BP monitors. Moreover the BP monitors we use are in most cases not calibrated properly. Calibrating a blood pressure monitor ensures that the blood pressure measurement begins at zero. Comparing between two monitor's readings can help in calibrating the machines.
The BP monitors can be calibrated by visiting a physician who will after measuring the BP with the patient's monitor and the one of his own determine if the one belonging to the patient is working well. There are some competent labs where the BP monitors can be calibrated by instruments. Meanwhile it is very much essential to calibrating BP monitors periodically.
Prof M Zahidul Haque
Dept of Agricultural Extension & Information System
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University