Home blood pressure monitoring: a new standard method for monitoring hypertension control in treated patients

Inadequate blood pressure (BP) control in patients with treated hypertension can be influenced by patient behavior, the inaccuracy of BP measurement in the clinical setting, and the fact that no single class of medication is universally effective. Home BP monitoring (HBPM) enables accurate measurement of BP and has been recommended (by multiple societies and associations) for the diagnosis of hypertension and the evaluation of antihypertensive treatment. Although HBPM is thought to improve BP control as a result of patients' increased adherence to their medication, this improvement is limited. Green et al. have shown that HBPM in combination with regular internet correspondence with a medical professional is a highly effective therapeutic strategy for BP control, possibly because this strategy is associated with an increase in number of prescriptions. This strategy should, therefore, be routinely used in the management of patients with hypertension.