title: Blood pressure variations and low blood pressure values at home after hospital discharge in older hypertensives: post-discharge blood pressure variations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blood pressure (BP) variations occurring after hospital discharge in a population of older hypertensives have not been previously investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  elderly (≥65 years) hypertensives admitted to the geriatric acute ward of a university-teaching hospital were enrolled in this prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exclusion criteria were terminal illness, discharge to institution, and changes in antihypertensive regimen. BP was recorded in the emergency room, at ward admission, daily during hospital stay, and at discharge. Home self blood pressure measurement was performed after discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population included 106 patients. There was a significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) throughout the study time points. SBP and DBP decreased after discharge (from 135.1 ± 15.0 to 131.5 ± 16.1 mmHg and from 77.2 ± 8.4 to 71.6 ± 8.7 mmHg, respectively), the difference being significant only for DBP (p = 0.000). We further observed higher prevalence of critically low BP values (SBP <120 mmHg and DBP <70 mmHg) at home (23.6% and 48.1%, respectively) compared to discharge (8.5% and 9.4%, p = 0.006 and p = 0.000, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed a decrease in BP values, and particularly DBP values, after hospital discharge, in a sample of older hypertensives. Critically low BP values were observed at home in a high proportion of subjects, suggesting wise use of antihypertensive therapy at discharge and early monitoring of BP values at home.
authors: Geriatric Section, Department of Medical and Surgical Disciplines, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Torino, Turin, Italy. miastengo@libero.it
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Astengo
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Bonetto
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Isaia
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Comba
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Fonte
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Bo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents