Does ambulatory blood pressure monitoring aid in the management of patients with hypertension?

Abstract

Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has a higher correlation with target end-organ damage than standard office measurements and is superior for risk stratification. Because it is more complicated to implement than office-based measurements, it should be reserved for: establishing the diagnosis of white-coat hypertension or borderline hypertension in previously untreated patients; evaluating previously treated patients with resistant hypertension; diagnosing and treating hypertension disorders of pregnancy; and identifying nocturnal hypertension. (Grade of recommendation: B, based on consistent cohort studies and trials, requiring extrapolation in certain clinical circumstances)