Survey on Office Blood Pressure Measurement in Daily Practice in the Hypertension Centers of the Italian Society of Hypertension

Introduction: Office blood pressure (BP) measurement is the cornerstone for the diagnosis of arterial hypertension. Aim: To investigate how office BP is measured in clinical practice among the hypertension centers of the Italian Society of Hypertension in comparison to what is recommend by the latest guidelines. Methods: Coordinators of hypertension centers affiliated to the Italian Society of Hypertension were invited by email to complete an online survey including 26 questions regarding the equipment (devices and cuffs) available in the centers, office BP measurement procedure and possible additional measures performed by the devices. Results: We obtained answers from 72 of the 119 centers (response rate 60.5%). The majority of the responders were older than 55 years (55.5%) and were from the North of Italy (61.1%). 95.6% stated the use of a validated device: 65.3% used automatic oscillometric devices, 27.8% an aneroid device, while 6.9% a manual device with a digital column. Unattended BP measurements were performed in 1.4% of the cases. Normal size cuff was available among 97.2% and large cuff among 83.1% of the centers. The majority tested BP in two different positions supine or sitting and standing positions, but there was a quarter of centers that measured BP only in one position. 38% of the responders performed three BP recordings, 38% at least two, but 5.7% measured BP only once. 42.3% of the devices used were able to detect atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Our survey depicted a considerable heterogeneity of office BP measurement methodology in daily practice, not always aligned with current guidelines.