Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and organ damage

Several papers have suggested that 24-hour average blood pressure (BP) is superior to office BP in relation to ::hypertension target organ damage. This review article will specifically address the evidence provided in this regard by either cross-sectional or longitudinal studies. It will also critically discuss the available data supporting the concept that not only 24-hour average BP values, but also specific BP patterns occurring within the 24 hours may have clinical relevance. This is the case for daytime versus nighttime BP, the day/night BP difference, the morning BP rise, and overall BP variability.