Blood pressure practice flawed
The practice of assessing patients for hypertension based on their blood pressure readings over the course of a day is flawed, according to French researchers.Ambulatory monitoring where a patient is fitted with a device to measure blood pressure during a typical 12 hour day does not provide accurate enough information for doctors to decide whether to treat, they say (Dr G Chatellier et al, BMJ 31 October 1992).
Multiple blood pressure measurements over six months is the more reliable method, recommends the World Health Organization.