Visit-to-Visit Variability of Systolic Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hypertension Research
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Visit-to-visit variability of blood pressure (VVV of BP) is increasingly recognized as a significant prognostic marker.
• Elevated VVV of BP is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current metrics for defining VVV of BP.
• To explore patient characteristics and antihypertensive medications as potential sources of VVV of BP.
• To discuss the relationship between VVV of BP and cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature, including secondary analyses of clinical trials and observational studies.
• Analysis of different metrics used to quantify VVV of BP.
• Exploration of factors influencing VVV of BP.

Main Results:

• Various metrics exist to define VVV of BP, but standardization is lacking.
• Patient factors and antihypertensive drug classes may contribute to VVV of BP.
• Current evidence linking VVV of BP to outcomes is largely derived from non-specific study designs.

Conclusions:

• Standardized definitions for VVV of BP are necessary.
• Further research is required to confirm VVV of BP as a reliable prognostic indicator.
• The clinical benefit of reducing VVV of BP, in addition to mean BP, remains to be determined.