Criticism of mail-order kit

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34130, 17 April 1976, Page 17

Criticism of mail-order kit

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. A measure-your-own-blood-pressure kit advertised by a Fijian mail order firm has been labelled undesirable by the Medical Officer of Health at Auckland (Dr N. T. Barnett). The advertisement says that in order to prevent hypertension and arteriosclerosis, it is vital to be aware of one’s correct health condition. “Health Watcher is an instrument which will enable you to measure your own blood pressure in seconds,” it asserts. “With the Health Watcher, you don’t have to go to clinics just for taking blood-pressure tests and it’s easy to carry anywhere. You can measure the blood pressure of your family and friends with Health Watcher.” This is what Dr Barnett finds objectionable. “There are so many anomalies,’’ he said. “In the first place, it requires a fine clinical mind to measure blood pressure; and the interpretation of the results can only be done correctly by someone who is trained — a doctor or nurse. “It worries me that if people diagnose their friends, they might be misled by a wrong diagnosis. It could lead to so much trouble later on.” The Health Watcher, which costs $25. is also the object of inquiries by the Consumers’ Institute.