Automated office blood pressure measurement: a Hypertension Australia and National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia position statement

Hypertension is the most common problem managed in Australian general practice, yet most adults with hypertension do not have their blood pressure (BP) treated to target. Hypertension diagnosis and management rely upon accurate BP measurements performed using a standardised protocol. However, health system barriers prevent doctors from following measurement protocols, leading to inaccurate BP assessments. A practical BP measurement protocol that can be widely implemented is urgently warranted. Automated office BP (AOBP) is the recommended measurement standard for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. AOBP involves using a validated automated upper-arm cuff BP device programmed to record multiple BP readings at set intervals starting after a rest period. It is done by a trained operator using a standardised protocol in a quiet setting with the correct patient setup, no distractions, and in the absence of a doctor. The device automatically calculates the average of the AOBP recordings and this is comparable to the 24-h ambulatory BP daytime mean. The hypertension threshold based on AOBP is 135/85 mmHg. AOBP can also be applied in other community settings (e.g. pharmacies), provided all the above criteria are met along with communication of results to the person’s usual general practitioner. In Australia, nation-wide systematic implementation of evidence based AOBP measurement is strongly recommended. This standardised approach will support healthcare professionals, especially general practitioners, in obtaining high-quality BP values with increasing confidence in clinical decision-making. Policy and practice changes, to address barriers and provide enabling mechanisms for sustained implementation of AOBP, are required.