Diagnosis and assessment of treatment effects: A single 24-hour blood pressure monitoring profile

The hypotensive effect of verapamil, enalapril and nitrendipine was tested on 29 patients. The blood pressure and heart rate of each patient was measured around the clock for 24 hours with an ambulatory monitor on two occasions, on placebo, and on treatment. Results indicate that: 1. not all patients are diagnosed with MESOR-hypertension while on placebo; 2. a statistically significant decrease in blood pressure on treatment cannot invariably be demonstrated on an individualized basis; and 3. on a group basis, differential drug effects on the circadian amplitude of blood pressure are documented. For an individual assessment of a patient's response to antihypertensive treatment, monitoring over spans longer than 24 hours is advocated, preferably for 7 days at the outset.