The evaluation of hypertensive patients who are supposedly under control according to office blood pressure measurements with ambulatuar blood pressure monitoring: an observational prospective study in three big cities (AKB3IL study)

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate hypertensive patients who are supposedly under control according to office blood pressure measurements with 24 hour ambulatuar blood pressure monitoring for determining their actual controlled hypertension rate. In addition, we investigate the adherence ratio of blood pressure measurements to current guidelines.
Study design: Nine hundred-forty hypertensive patients supposedly under control according to office blood pressure measurements were enrolled in the study. Twenty-four hour ambulatuar blood pressure monitoring was performed on all of them.
Results: Actual controlled hypertension was determined in 617 (65.6%) patients whereas 323 (34.4%) patients had uncontrolled hypertension. The blood pressure measurements that were over threshold values were seen mostly at night and in the early morning during ambulatuar blood pressure monitoring. Nocturnal and early morning hypertension was determined in most of the patients who were supposedly under control according to office blood pressure measurements. This was especially true in patients with high cardiovascular risk such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, and metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Efficacy of antihypertensive therapy during 24 hour and the early morning period is essential for optimal risk modification.

Keywords: Hypertension, blood pressure monitoring, ambulatory, risk assessment; Turkey; practice guidelines as topic