One in every 4 individuals in India has hypertension(high BP). Hypertension leads to a greatly increase risk of cardiovascular(heart and stroke related) complications and is associated with 20-50% of all cardiovascular related deaths. For every 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase in BP over 115/75 mm of Hg, there is doubling of mortality(death risk) from ischaemic heart disease and stroke.

Blood pressure keeps varying considerably during the 24 hours period depending upon a number of factors such as rest, physical activity, mental stress etc. Therefore, just one BP reading measured in a clinic/doctor’s chamber is not sufficient to decide whether an individual is suffering from hypertension or no. A normal BP is generally defined as less than 130/80 mm of Hg while a BP of more than 140/90mm of Hg is considered high and needs to be treated. However, to correctly define whether a person is suffering from high BP or not, following BP cut-offs are recommended –

Office/Doctor’s chamber/clinic BP – Less than 130/80 mm of Hg

Home BP – Less than 125/75 mm of Hg

On 24 ABPM(Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring) study
Daytime awake BP – Less than 125/75 mm of Hg
Full 24 hr BP – Less than 120/70 mm of Hg

It is now clearly recommended that one BP measurement in clinic or at home is not sufficient to diagnose or manage hypertension. BP should be regularly monitored at home by patients and frequently by ABPM to decide whether BP is being treated to target levels.