From the Guidelines
A patient with hypertension needs a blood pressure monitor to regularly track their blood pressure at home, which is a crucial component of managing their condition effectively, as emphasized by the 2018 systematic review for the 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline 1.
Importance of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Home monitoring provides more readings than occasional clinic visits, allowing for better assessment of blood pressure patterns throughout the day and in different situations.
- Patients should measure their blood pressure 1-2 times daily, typically in the morning before taking medications and in the evening, while seated quietly with their back supported and feet flat on the floor after resting for 5 minutes.
- The monitor should be validated for clinical accuracy, with an appropriately sized cuff placed at heart level on a bare arm, as recommended by the 2008 joint scientific statement from the American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension, and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association 1.
Benefits of Regular Home Readings
Regular home readings help healthcare providers make informed decisions about medication adjustments, detect white coat hypertension (elevated readings only in clinical settings), and identify masked hypertension (normal readings in clinic but elevated at home) 1.
- Additionally, seeing their own measurements can improve a patient's understanding of their condition and increase medication adherence, ultimately reducing the risk of serious complications like heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage that can result from uncontrolled hypertension.
- The use of self-measured blood pressure monitoring has been associated with a modest reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as demonstrated by a systematic review and meta-analysis 1.
From the Research
Importance of Blood Pressure Monitoring for Hypertensive Patients
- A patient (pt) with hypertension needs a blood pressure (BP) monitor to effectively manage and control their condition 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Home blood pressure monitoring has been shown to improve hypertension control by allowing for more frequent measurements and adjustments to treatment plans 2.
- Studies have demonstrated that home BP monitoring can lead to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, particularly when combined with telemonitoring or patient education 2, 4, 5.
Benefits of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Home BP monitoring can help overcome therapeutic inertia, defined as unchanged medication despite elevated BP, by providing more accurate and frequent measurements 2.
- The use of home BP monitors with graphic functions can facilitate faster blood pressure control by allowing patients to track their progress and make adjustments to their treatment plans 5.
- Patient education and home monitoring can also improve medication compliance, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and overall management of hypertension 4.
Variability in Study Results
- Some studies have reported mixed results regarding the effectiveness of home BP monitoring in improving blood pressure control, with some finding no significant difference between home monitoring and usual care 3.
- However, other studies have found that home BP monitoring can be particularly beneficial for certain populations, such as men with hypertension 3.