The Current State of Blood Pressure Measurement and Emerging Technologies

Office blood pressure measurement has been the primary means of diagnosing and treating hypertension for almost a century. Increasingly, guidelines recommend out-of-office measurements (ambulatory or home blood pressure measurement) to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and to follow treated patients. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement includes nocturnal measurement and provides a 24-hour blood pressure profile, enabling calculation of overall blood pressure, daytime mean, and nocturnal mean. Home blood pressure monitoring is a method of blood pressure measurement that is convenient and accessible. Blood pressure telemonitoring is a complementary and emerging technology that enhances the effectiveness of out-of-office blood pressure measurement and has the potential to improve the health of end users through engagement, efficiency, and enhanced communication with the care team. Blood pressure measurements can be obtained remotely, effectively transmitted to their health care team via telemonitoring for interpretation, and then a care plan can be developed and implemented. However, care must be taken to ensure that these emerging technologies record and transmit accurate blood pressure information in a secure and reliable manner.