Usefulness of home BP determination in treating borderline hypertension

This study explores whether home BP self-determination can be used to assess the effect of treatment in patients with borderline hypertension. Sixteen untreated patients underwent a double-blind trial of propranolol hydrochloride (average dose, 105 mg), clonidine hydrochloride (0.24 mg), and placebo. Home BP readings decreased with both active compounds (-8/-5 with propranolol and -11/-7 with clonidine). During placebo, the readings increased to levels identical to untreated values. This study demonstrates that patients with borderline hypertension are consistently capable of detecting small average changes in home BP. It is also shown that sympatholytic monotherapy can be effectively used to lower the BP in such patients.