ambulatory blood pressure measurement (evidence relating to.)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure (AMBP) has been shown to be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk in older patients with systolic hypertension than conventional measurement alone.
In the Systolic Hypertension in Europe (SYST-EUR) trial:
- patients with previously untreated hypertension, of average age 69-70 years and BMI 26, had conventional measurement of their blood pressure (average of six readings, over 3 visits a month apart). Also they had AMBP recorded for >= 24 hours.
- AMBP was a better predictor of risk than conventional blood pressure measurement alone.
- night-time systolic blood pressure was a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than day-time systolic blood pressure.
Reference:
- Medical Monitor (23/6/99), 13.