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Guidelines Urge Home BP Monitoring for Patients with Hypertension
Patients with hypertension should be encouraged to take regular readings with home blood pressure monitors — just as those with diabetes check their blood glucose — according to a new scientific statement released online by the American Heart Association, the American Society of Hypertension, and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.
The article includes an algorithm for using home BP measurements to aid in clinical decision-making. To that end, patients with elevated BP at the office should take home measurements at least 12 times over a week. The preferred devices attach to the upper (usually nondominant) arm, have cuffs that inflate automatically, use oscillometric detection, and store results in memory.
Patients should bring their home monitors to the office to ensure they are using the proper technique and to calibrate their devices.
LINK(S):
Hypertension article (Free PDF)
Associated Press story (Free)
Published in Physician's First Watch May 23, 2008
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