Home blood pressure measurement

Abstract

Hypertension, the leading global risk factor for early mortality, can not be detected or treated without accurate and practical methods of blood pressure (BP) measurement. Although home BP measurement enjoys considerable popularity among patients, the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension are still mostly based on office measurements. However, recent studies have shown that home BP is more strongly associated with hypertensive target-organ damage and future cardiovascular morbidity. Home BP measurement also allows the identification of white-coat hypertension. A paradigm shift is needed in BP measurement as evidence-based medicine suggests that clinic BP measurement should mainly be restricted for screening purposes.