CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON SEASONAL-VARIATI ONS IN AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITORING

Blood pressure is subject to many different sources of variation, some of them being of periodical character, while others being rather situ ation-dependent. Seasonal variation of blood pressure is described in literature as resulting in 5 to 15 mmHg rise during winter. These resu lts typically are found in series of single measurements while control ling indoor- and outdoor temperature. Our study is based on ambulatory blood pressure measurements over 24 hours, including 522 patients, co mparing first measurement in the office as well as day- and night-time average. Non of these parameters showed seasonal variation. Possible reasons and methodological conclusions are discussed.