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Reference values for self-recorded blood pressure: a meta-analysis of summary data
L Thijs1, J A Staessen, H Celis
1Department of Molecular and Cardiovascular Research, University of Leuven, Belgium. Lutgarde.Thijs@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Archives of Internal Medicine
|March 21, 1998
Summary
A meta-analysis suggests that self-recorded blood pressure above 135/85 mm Hg may indicate hypertension. This finding aims to establish clearer reference values for home blood pressure monitoring, aiding clinical decisions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Clinical Measurement
Background:
- Clinical use of self-recorded blood pressure is hindered by a lack of standardized reference values.
- Accurate home blood pressure monitoring requires established thresholds for hypertension diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies to determine an operational threshold for self-recorded blood pressure.
- To establish reliable reference values for home blood pressure measurements.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis reviewed 17 studies involving 5422 subjects.
- Compared four methods for deriving hypertension cutoffs from self-recorded blood pressure data: mean+2 SDs, 95th percentile in normotensives, regression analysis, and percentile mapping to 140/90 mm Hg.
Main Results:
- Self-recorded blood pressure averaged 115/71 mm Hg in normotensive individuals.
- The mean+2 SDs and 95th percentile methods yielded similar thresholds (137/89 mm Hg and 135/86 mm Hg, respectively).
- Regression and percentile mapping methods produced lower thresholds (125/79 mm Hg and 129/84 mm Hg).
Conclusions:
- A mean self-recorded blood pressure exceeding 135 mm Hg systolic or 85 mm Hg diastolic is proposed as a hypertensive threshold.
- Further prospective studies are needed to correlate these self-recorded values with cardiovascular outcomes.
- This provides a practical guideline for interpreting home blood pressure readings.