How should we measure and deal with office blood pressure in 2021?

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Office blood pressure measurements (OBPMs) are still recommended for diagnosis and follow-up by all major guidelines; however, the recommended procedures differ significantly. In analogy, major outcome studies usually apply OBPMs, again, with a variety of procedures. This variety of OBPM procedures complicates the comparability between studies and challenges daily clinical practice. In this narrative review, we compile the most recent recommendations for office blood pressure measurement together with the major limitations and strategies and how these could be overcome.