Analysis of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the assessment of high blood pressure medication in elderly patients

Objective To evaluate the value of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in evaluating hypertension status and the efficacy of antihypertensive medication in hypertension patients. Methods We retrospectively collected data from 236 elderly hypertensive patients at our hospital from July 2016 to June 2017 and analyzed the blood pressure characteristics of patients under 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the effects of different types of antihypertensive medication. Results Of 236 patients with high blood pressure, 80.1% had both higher systolic blood pressure and higher diastolic blood pressure; about 90.0% had blood pressure load greater than 40.0%; blood pressure in 57.6% of patients reached its peak both in the morning and in the afternoon; a majority(58.9%)showed a non-dipper circadian pattern.After antihypertensive drug treatment, the blood pressure indicators significantly improved(P<0.05). Common antihypertensive drugs included calcium antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers(ARB), diuretics, beta blockers, and combination drugs. Conclusions 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can provide comprehensive blood pressure data, help achieve accurate assessment of blood pressure status, and may be used in the evaluation of antihypertensive drug treatment. Key words: Blood pressure monitoring; Hypertension