Table 1:
Indications,
advantages, limitations and instructions for correct use of ambulatory blood
pressure monitoring.
Ambulatory
blood pressure monitoring |
|||
Indications |
Advantages |
Limitations |
Instructions
for correct use |
-
confirmation of HTN diagnosis in patients with grade I HTN
and low/medium cardiovascular risk; -
suspicion of “white coat HTN”; -
suspicion of masked HTN; -
suspicion of hypotension or autonomic nervous system
dysfunction; -
diagnosis of truly drug-resistant HTN; -
HTN in pregnant women; -
HTN in patients with glaucoma; |
-
measurements are taken in patient’s normal environment; -
more reliable than office BP values; -
more measurements, than in the office; -
may have better predictive value for cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality than office measurements; -
gives information about CBPP; |
-
high study costs; -
low availability; -
low reproducibility, though higher than standard office
measurements; -
limitations in patients’ compliance; -
patient may not return the device; |
Physicians should: -
take measurements on both arms and if the difference is
< 10 mmHg choose the non-dominant arm, if difference > 10 mmHg - arm
with higher values; -
choose size of the cuff; -
give instructions to the patient; |
Patients should: -
undertake standard daily activity; -
limit cardiovascular exercise; -
stay still and avoid talking during measurements; -
keep the arm supported during measurement; -
record relevant daily events; |
BP: Blood pressure; CBPP: Circadian blood pressure profile; HTN:
Hypertension