What does this research mean for the field?

Only 1.4% of hypertension centers performed unattended blood pressure measurements, and 25% measured blood pressure in one position, indicating significant methodological heterogeneity in office blood pressure measurement practices. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to assess the methods used for measuring office blood pressure in Italian hypertension centers.

January 10, 2026High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention0 citations

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

FSFrancesca SaladiniPreventive Cardiology FAFabiolucio AlbiniSociety for Ambulatory Anesthesia AGAntonino Di GuardoIstituto per lo Studio e la Prevenzione Oncologica

Key Result

Only 1.4% of centers performed unattended blood pressure measurements and 25% measured blood pressure in one position, indicating significant methodological heterogeneity.

Key Points

The aim is to assess the methods used for measuring office blood pressure in Italian hypertension centers.
Online survey distributed to coordinators of hypertension centers
Included 26 questions about BP measurement equipment and procedures
Collected data on device types and additional measurements performed
72 out of 119 centers responded, achieving a 60.5% response rate
95.6% reported using validated devices for BP measurement
65.3% used automatic oscillometric devices, while 27.8% used aneroid devices
Only 1.4% conducted unattended BP measurements
38% of responders took three BP recordings, while 5.7% measured only once

Structured PICO

How is office blood pressure measured in clinical practice among Italian hypertension centers compared to guideline recommendations?

Population

72 coordinators of hypertension centers affiliated to the Italian Society of Hypertension (out of 119 invited, 60.5% response rate)

Intervention

Online survey regarding equipment and office blood pressure measurement procedures

Outcome

Office blood pressure measurement methodology in clinical practice compared to guideline recommendations

There is considerable heterogeneity in office blood pressure measurement methodology in daily practice among Italian hypertension centers, highlighting a gap between clinical practice and current guidelines.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

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.

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