STATEMENT ON AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITORING BY THE GERMAN-HYPERTENSION-LEAGUE

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.