The Value of Portably Recorded Blood Pressures in the Initiation of Treatment of Moderate Hypertension

1. The value of making portable-recorder measurements of blood pressure has been studied.

2. The danger associated with mild arterial pressure elevation is not immediate, but almost any reduction in pressure is likely to reduce risk.

3. Patient and doctor together must decide what burden of side effects of hypotensive therapy is tolerable.

4. Such decisions will become rational only when the probability of vascular involvement can be accurately assessed in a given patient.

5. The likelihood of arresting the disease through antihypertensive therapy must similarly be assessed.