Pseudohypertension in hypertensive patients on multiple drug therapy.
Differences in blood pressure between direct intra-arterial and indirect cuff measurements have been reported, especially in elderly patients. We investigated the incidence of pseudohypertension among hypertensives with a poor response to drug therapy. We studied 24 patients, aged between 18 and 65 years, whose blood pressure could not be normalized with a combination of at least two antihypertensive drugs. We found no difference in systolic blood pressure but diastolic blood pressure was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower when measured intra-arterially. The mean difference between the direct and the indirect blood pressure determination was 16.2 +/- 1.5 mmHg (s.e.m.), and the range was 2.3-39.6 mmHg. Age, duration of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy was not correlated with the incidence and extent of pseudohypertension. We conclude that in hypertensives with a poor response to drug therapy, blood pressure measurements should be taken intra-arterially in order to avoid the hazards of overtreatment.
Weisser
B
B
Medizinische Universitäts Poliklinik, Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany.
Velling
P
P
Geller
C
C
Kraft
K
K
Göbel
B
B
Vetter
H
H
Düsing
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents