Self blood pressure monitoring improves awareness and attainment of target blood pressure goal: prospective observational study of 7,751 patients

Backgrounds: We investigated self blood pressure monitoring (SBPM) would improve the awareness of importance of blood pressure (BP) control, compliance of antihypertensive medications and the rate of blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 7,751patients who visit out-patients clinic of private and university hospitals in Korea were recommended by duty physicians to measure self BP with automatic electronic BP monitors at home. Office BP changes before and after SBPM was compared. Attainment of target BP and compliance of antihypertensive drugs were also compared before and after SBPM. Patients and duty physicians were interviewed on perception of value of SBPM. Results: Mean BP significantly decreased from 142/88mmg to 129/80mmHg (P