What is the value of home blood pressure measurement in patients with mild hypertension?

Abstract

To investigate the value of home blood pressure (BP) measurement, the BP was recorded daily by the patient at home and compared with recordings in the physician''s office and with a 24-h BP recording taken with a noninvasive ambulatory BP recorder in a group of 93 patients with mild untreated hypertension. Office BP (mean 148/94 mm Hg) were higher than either home (138/89 mm Hg) or average 24-h BP (131/89 mm Hg). For systolic BP, home and office measurements gave similar correlations with 24-h BP (0.67 and 0.55). For diastolic BP, however, home readings were lower and more accurate (0.76 vs. 0.36). Home readings reflect the overall level of BP more reliably than office readings, and if due consideration is given to the fact that they are usually lower than office readings [possibly due to the anxiety-provoking experience], they may be used as an alternative and cost-effective means of evaluating patient with mild hypertension.