Masked hypertension

Abstract

Masked hypertension (MH) is defined as a clinical condition in which patients have normal office blood pressure (BP) values (systolic BP <140 mm Hg, and diastolic BP <90 mmHg), but high ambulatory blood pressure measurements values (systolic BP >140 mmHg, and diastolic BP >90 mmHg). The prevalance of masked hypertension is reported as 10-40% in recent observational studies. Although the basic mechanism of that disease has not been well-defined yet. However ıt has been thought that it may be associated with smoking, alcohol abuse and obesity. The increment in the incidence of end-organ damage and cardiovascular disease risk in patient with masked hypertension is similar to essential hypertension. Therefore the guidelines suggest medical treatment for patient with masked hypertension to prevent worse cardiovascular outcomes. © 2016, Logos Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.