gms | German Medical Science

In a smaller study (n= 52) we have shown that the classification in hypertensives or normotensives highly depends on the technique and the staff measuring blood pressure. Aim of this study was to verify our former results in a greater number of patients.

In 483 patients (246 women, 237 men, mean age 50±9 years) which were classified as hypertensives (>140/90 mmHg) by casual readings done by a physician (161±21/105±11 mmHg), 80.3 % (n= 388, 141±9/96±9 mmHg) fulfilled the criteria for hypertensives by ABPM (mean daytime B.P. >135/85 mmHg) and 76.8 % (n= 371, 100 watts; 227±12/115±9 mmHg) during exercise testing (>200/100 mmHg at 100 watts). This was true only in 48.9 % (n= 236, 169±18/106±10 mmHg) when B.P. was measured by the same trained nurse. The different techniques were also used to assess efficiency of antihypertensive therapy (general treatment and/or drug therapy). According to the above mentioned criteria, 90.0 % (n= 435) showed normal B.P. regulation during exercise, 60.4 % (n= 292) using ABPM, 58.6 % (n= 283) on the basis of B.P. measurements by the nurse, but only 33.7 % (n=163) on the basis of B.P. measurements by the physician. This result shows again that different techniques to measure B.P. will lead to different results concerning the classification into normal or high B.P. This problem is relevant regardless of the number of patients and may be still more relevant in the assessment of any hypertensive therapy.