A Representative Value for 24-hr Ambulatory Blood pressure Monitoring

ABSTRACT

Several shorter-term alternatives for whole-day ambulatory monitoring of BP using Pressureometer III or standard sphygmomanometer were evaluated in 12 male hypertensive patients. Averages of BP reading at 8 AM once, consecutive 3 readings either by Pressurometer or manual, serial readings during 2-hr intervals of 8-10 AM and 2/4 PM were compared with that of 24-hr ambulatory, non-invasive BP readings. Both systolic and diastolic 2-hr Bp averages in the morning were correlated more strongly with 24-hour averages(r=0.91 and 0.91), than were those of the 3 readings(r=0.88 and 0.66) or single reading(r=0.49 and -0.35) alternatives. In conclusion, the average of serial readings obtained during 2-hr monitoring period from 8 to 10AM is a reliable predictor of 24-hr ambulatory BP and represents it more closely than the conventional single or multiple BP readings.