Findings from two emerging studies have shown that the prevalent use of technology such as the Internet, YouTube and iPhone apps to treat and inform oneself of medical care can in fact, prove to be harmful. The first study, conducted by Dr. Nilay Kumar of the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, investigated YouTube videos that advocated for information on high blood pressure. The second study examined two separate blood pressure devices that connect to the iPhone, where an app keeps track of the numbers, that can be eventually be sent to one’s doctor.

The first study searched the site videos tagged ‘high blood pressure’ and ‘hypertension’ and screened a sample of 176 videos – a small sample of the total hits received. Researchers found that one third of the videos offered misleading information, advocating for supplements and alternative therapies, such as L-arginine, garlic and coenzyme Q10 supplements, that have not been scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure.

“It’s quite concerning,” said lead researcher Dr. Kumar. “The videos that were misleading seemed to get a lot more hits than the videos from authoritative sources.” Dr. Kumar is scheduled to present the findings at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) in New York City.

According to Dr. Kumar, the videos were, however, useful in providing information on how high blood pressure develops and how to prevent it. He suggests relying on more authoritative sources such as the  American Heart Association or the U.S. National Library of Medicine website Medline Plus.

The second study, also scheduled to be presented at the same ASH meeting, found that the two home blood pressure devices examined were inaccurate in comparison to a general practitioner’s (GP) office devices. From a total of 112 readings taken by the same person, one of the devices produced numbers that were too high by an average of three to five points. The other device produced readings that were 5 points too low on average.

While the accuracy of these two devices does not speak for all devices of its kind, experts say that devices that take wrist or finger measurements are less reliable that automated monitors with an arm cuff.