M. Anlauf et al., STATEMENT ON AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITORING BY THE GERMAN-HYPERTENSION-LEAGUE, Journal of human hypertension, 9(9), 1995, pp. 777-779
Blood pressure (BP) variation is particularly pronounced in those who
suffer from hypertension. Single measurements should therefore be rega
rded as no more than 'snapshots' out of a targe number of BP values oc
curring during the course of a day. Indirect ambulatory blood pressure
monitoring (ABPM), a method which is becoming increasingly common, pr
ovides the best information on daily BP using automatic measuring and
recording equipment. This results in improved diagnosis, better treatm
ent indications and better evaluation of the outcome of treatment and
of prognosis. Compared with ABPM occasional BP measurement by the GP o
verestimates the diagnosis of hypertension and underestimates the anti
hypertensive effect of drugs. ABPM allows the following to be picked u
p: average BP level; circadian BP rhythm; increases in BP which occur
only at the doctor's office (white coat hypertension); absence of, or
reduced, fall in BP during sleep; unusual rises or falls in BP; side-e
ffects of anti-hypertensive treatment thought to be dependent on the B
P level. ABPM is especially suitable for evaluating the success of tre
atment and provides real information on the effectiveness of medicatio
n. ABPM has a closer correlation with left ventricular hypertrophy and
with other cardiovascular complications than do BP measurements by th
e GP. There is now a sufficient body of evidence available to support
the observation that there is a higher rate of organ damage in cases w
here no night-time fall in BP occurs than might be expected from the a
verage daily values. The acceptance of ABPM can now be termed good to
very good.