The good use of home blood pressure monitoring. Consensus document
Persu, A.; Fagard, R.; De Cort, P.; Legat, P.; Van Bortel, L.
Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique 2009(2): 33-36
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-2166 PMID: 19739526 Document Number: 637590
Self or home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) is increasingly popular. Its prognostic value and clinical interest in the diagnosis and follow-up of hypertension are well established. In addition, experts widely agree on the fact that it improves hypertension management and therapeutic compliance. In particular, HBPM often allows to detect white coat hypertension (to be confirmed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement). Unfortunately, a large part of HBPM devices in the European Union have not fulfilled independent validation criteria. Furthermore, many patients buy and use such devices without medical supervision. This consensus document summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of HBPM and the conditions of a proper use, in agreement with the recent European and American guidelines.