Eliminating the Human Factor in Office Blood Pressure Measurement

Factors related to the physician/nurse and patient and their interaction are potential sources of error in manual office blood pressure ( MOBP ). The use of automated sphygmomanometers to record blood pressure ( BP) with the patient alone reduces measurement error and minimizes anxiety‐related increases in BP , thus eliminating the “white‐coat” response. Comparative studies have shown the cut‐point for a normal automated office BP (AOBP) , awake ambulatory BP, and home BP (<135/85 mmHg) to be similar, providing the patient does not rest for a prolonged period before the first AOBP reading, as recommended for MOBP measurement. AOBP should now replace MOBP in routine clinical practice.