Home Blood Pressure Determination

Abstract

Self-determined home blood pressure readings taken by 112 patients with borderline hypertension were compared to values of 49 normotensive controls. Thirty percent of patients with borderline hypertensive readings in the clinic were hypertensive at home; only 28% of patients were clearly normotensive. Clinic blood pressure levels, family history, body weight, and heart rate failed as predictors of which patients were likely to be hypertensive at home. Self-determined home blood pressures are suggested for identification of individual patients with borderline hypertension who require continuous and close observation. (<i>JAMA</i>229:663-666, 1974)