Confirming a Diagnosis of "Hypertension"

Abstract

Or at least confident that the clinic reflects the real BP. In the study mentioned, [1] 42 general practice providers in the Abstract Hypertension is the leading cause, worldwide, of premature death or surviving with disabilities due to damage to the heart, the brain, or the kidneys. Making a correct diagnosis of hypertension is an essential step in reducing the impact of elevated blood pressure (BP) on an individual’s health. In this article, we will use a typical case to illustrate the steps involved in confirming a diagnosis of hypertension, along with the rationale for the usage of the current out-of-office BP measurement tools, to correctly identify and confirm elevated BP. The reader will be guided through an explanation of how to use the office BPs with, or without, complementary information from BPs readings obtained using at home devices, or through the use of an ambulatory BP monitors. The utility of these different approaches to how, and settings within which, BP is measured are also examined.