Comparison of different guidelines regarding recommended methods of BP measurement
| Guideline | Recommended method of BP measurement |
| American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines 20171 | Use an average of ≥2 readings obtained on ≥2 occasions to estimate the individual’s level of BP. |
| Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) 20162 | ‘(…) at least two more readings should be taken during the same visit. If using a non-AOBP measurement, the first reading should be discarded and the latter readings averaged.’ |
| European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation (EACPR) 20163 | ‘If feasible, automated recording of multiple BP readings in the office, with the patient seated in an isolated room, might be considered as a means of improving reproducibility and matching office BP values closer to those provided by daytime ambulatory BP monitoring or home BP measurements.’ No recommendation on number of non-automated office BP measurements.’ |
| Swiss Society of Hypertension (SSH) 20154 | At least two measurements, more in case of arrhythmias. |
| Eight Joint National Committee (JNC8) 20145 | No recommendation on number of measurements. |
| American Society of Hypertension/International Society of Hypertension (ASH/ISH) 20146 | ‘It is preferable to take two readings, 1 to 2 min apart, and use the average of these measurements.’ |
| European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology (ESH/ESC) practice guidelines 20137 | ‘To take at least two BP measurements in the sitting position, spaced 1–2 min apart, and additional measurements if the first two are quite different. Consider the average BP if deemed appropriate.’ |
| National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 20118 | No recommendation on number of measurements. |
| NICE 2011 short version9 | ‘If blood pressure measured in the clinic is 140/90 mm Hg or higher: Take second measurement during the consultation. If the second measurement is substantially different, take a third measurement. Record the lower of the two last measurements as the clinic blood pressure.’ |
| Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC7) 200310 | ‘At least two measurements should be taken and the average recorded.’ |
BP, blood pressure.