Diagnosis

Following a raised blood pressure measurement, a diagnosis of hypertension should be confirmed using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). If ABPM services are not available, then home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) can be used as an alternative diagnostic tool.

A diagnosis of hypertension is made when a person has a clinic blood pressure measurement of 140/90 mmHg or higher and an ABPM daytime average or HBPM average of 135/85 mmHg or higher.

A diagnosis of hypertension should not be made on clinic blood pressure alone, as a temporary rise in blood pressure can occur when a healthcare professional has taken the reading in a clinic setting; this is known as white-coat hypertension. Measuring blood pressure at home can counteract the white-coat effect.

• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

ABPM is the gold standard for diagnosing hypertension. A small digital blood pressure device is attached to a belt that the person wears for up to 24 hours, connected to a cuff worn around their upper arm

• Home blood pressure monitoring

HBPM can be used for diagnosis in people who cannot tolerate ABPM, or where ABPM is not available.