Valor de la presión nocturna: ¿un nuevo objetivo terapéutico?

Abstract

In the last decades, nighttime blood pressure (BP), assessed by means of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and, more recently, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM), has gained acceptance as an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, independent from diurnal and 24hour BP, and consequently has become an attractive therapeutic objective. Nighttime BP is easier to evaluate than circadian rhythm, and is more strongly associated with target organ damage and cardiovascular events. Many strategies are currently available for nocturnal hypertension management and the evidence in favour of a reduction in cardiovascular events with its treatment, although scarce, is increasing. In the near future, assessment of nighttime BP would probably be more available through HBPM devices, which allow BP readings during the patient´s sleep