1.12 Role of Trained Nurses in the Blood Pressure Control of Treated Essential Hypertensive Patients

Introduction: When measuring BP, the physician induces a transient pressor response triggered by an alarm reaction. This ‘white-coat effect’ can influence therapeutic decisions.

Objective: To assess the difference of blood pressure measured by physician, nurse and by patients at home.

Methods: 100 patients were selected from those referred to a hypertension clinic. they had had their supine systolic/diastolic blood pressure measured firstly by a trained nurse (mean of the last two of three measurements taken every 2 min by an oscillometric device) and then by a physician (auscultatory method using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer). The patients measured their home BP (one reading in the morning and one reading in the evening for 5 continuous days). Moreover, the patients completed a questionnaire in order to test if the nurse pre-evaluation can reduce the degree of anxiety in the patient.

Results: The mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure for physicians was 149±11/89±12 mmHg, that for the nurse was 144±11/85±8 mmHg and for Home 139±12/85±10 mmHg.