Use of ambulatory blood pressure measurement in primary care in Iceland

Objective: To study the use of ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) in primary care in Iceland. Material and methods: All patients who had ABPM done during the period from 1st of June 2008 till 31st of May 2010 at three health care centers comprised the study group. Medical records of these patients were examined and information about previous diagnosis of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, smoking habits and drug prescriptions along with results of blood pressure measurements were registrated. Results: A total of 205 ABPM were done during the study period. Mean age of the patients was 54 years +/- 15.1, the youngest being 18 and the oldest 87 years old. The study group comprised 119 (58%) women and 86 men (42%). The ABPM was done as a part of follow-up of hypertension in 112 (55%) cases, but among 93 patients it was used as an aid in the diagnosis of hypertension. The study showed that 88 (41%) were defined as dippers. The ABPM did not result in a change of treatment in 14% of cases, among 19% of subjects antihypertensive treatment was initiated whereas 16% did not require any treatment; in 6% of cases the antihypertensive treatment was reduced while in 13% it was necessary to increase the treatment. Conclusion: We conclude that ABPM is a very useful tool in primary care settings, both to improve diagnosis and the treatment of hypertension.