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Continuous blood pressure monitoring could cut need for high blood pressure medications
By admin | November 30, 2008
The use of so-called ambulatory blood pressure monitors could prevent unnecessary prescriptions for high blood pressure medications. Ambulatory monitors take continuous blood pressure readings during a 24 hour period. This gives a much better indication of hypertension.
Studies show that traditional blood pressure exams in the doctor’s office do not accurately predict high blood pressure risks. Some people have a type of hypertension that shows up at only certain times of the day. Just as many have “white coat syndrome” whereby stress at the doctor’s office raises their blood pressure. For both these reasons a doctor’s blood pressure reading may not reflect the patient’s true condition. Yet doctors routinely prescribe drugs based on these readings.
When someone is suspected of having hypertension they need to have 24 hour monitoring before accepting blood pressure medications that could have serious side effects.
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