Home blood pressure measurements--feasibility and results compared to office measurements. The study of men born in 1913.

Blood pressure (BP) readings in a physician's office have been reported to be higher than patient-determined readings at home. This conclusion is based on measurements in various selected groups of patients. In this study, the results of office and home BP readings were compared in three groups of men with high BP sampled from the general population. More than 90% of the men were able to perform the measurements. Among men well accustomed to the office environment, the differences between office and home readings were small and without any clinical importance. Among men less well accustomed to the office atmosphere, the office readings exceeded almost invariably the home BP.