A new international study has found that monitoring blood pressure over 24 hours is a much better way to predict heart and blood vessel diseases than checking it during a single visit to the doctor’s office.
The research followed over 11,000 people from 12 countries for 14 years and revealed that high blood pressure recorded throughout the day and night is more accurate at identifying those at risk of serious health problems.
The study was coordinated by Professors Jan A. Staessen and Zhen-Yu Zhang of KU Leuven in Belgium, with Dr. Gladys Maestre from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, supervising the research in Venezuela. The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
High blood pressure is the most important treatable risk factor for heart disease and problems with the arteries. It contributes to over 10 million deaths worldwide each year, most of which are caused by cardiovascular conditions.
But while it’s known that high blood pressure is dangerous, researchers didn’t know which method of measuring it was best for predicting who might be affected later.
To find out, the scientists measured participants’ blood pressure in different ways: at the doctor’s office and over a 24-hour period using a small, wearable monitor.
This device automatically recorded blood pressure about 30 times during the day and 10 times at night while people were sleeping. These frequent checks gave a much clearer picture of a person’s true blood pressure.
Interestingly, the readings taken at night turned out to be especially helpful. Since people are lying down and not doing any physical activities or eating, their blood pressure levels at night are not influenced by temporary factors. This made nighttime readings a very reliable way to spot early warning signs of heart and artery problems.
The research confirmed that 24-hour monitoring does a better job of identifying risk than a one-time reading at the doctor’s office. The researchers believe this method could help doctors start treatment earlier and adjust it more precisely. This would prevent more heart attacks, strokes, and other complications in the long run.
Despite the benefits, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring is not widely used in the U.S. right now. Most insurance plans only pay for it under special conditions, such as when a person’s blood pressure seems normal during a doctor visit but is suspected to be high at other times.
However, the study’s authors argue that using this method more often would actually save money. Treating the complications of high blood pressure in hospitals—like chest pain, heart attacks, or strokes—is far more expensive than preventing them in the first place.
About 30% of adults and 60% of people over the age of 60 have high blood pressure. Since the condition is so common and dangerous, experts say 24-hour blood pressure monitoring should be available more widely at all levels of care.
By identifying risks earlier and more accurately, this approach could help people stay healthier longer and reduce the burden on families and healthcare systems.
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The study is published in JAMA.
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