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Factors associated with day-by-day variability of self-measured blood pressure at home: the Ohasama study

Tetsuo Kato1, Masahiro Kikuya, Takayoshi Ohkubo

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

American Journal of Hypertension
|May 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

High day-by-day blood pressure (BP) variability is linked to factors like age, gender, and lifestyle. Understanding these determinants of home BP variability is key for cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Previous research established that high day-by-day blood pressure (BP) variability, measured at home, predicts cardiovascular mortality.
  • The determinants influencing this day-by-day home BP variability require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the key factors that determine day-by-day variability in home blood pressure measurements.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional community survey involving 1,215 participants in Ohasama, Japan.
  • Participants self-measured BP and heart rate twice daily for four weeks.
  • Day-by-day BP variability and heart rate variability were calculated using standard deviation and coefficient of variation.

Main Results:

  • Significant determinants of elevated home BP variability included older age, female gender, higher home BP, lower home heart rate, and higher home heart rate variability.
  • Alcohol intake and sedentary lifestyle were also identified as determinants, particularly for evening BP variability.
  • Morning home systolic BP averaged 123.4 ± 15.1 mmHg and diastolic BP 75.7 ± 9.0 mmHg, with variability measures of 8.6 ± 3.1 mmHg (SBP) and 5.8 ± 2.0 mmHg (DBP).

Conclusions:

  • Day-by-day home BP variability is associated with home BP levels, alcohol consumption, and sedentary behavior.
  • Further research is needed to determine if modifying these factors can reduce BP variability and improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Abstract

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