New automated office blood pressure measurement position statement

The National Hypertension Taskforce and Hypertension Australia have published an important new position statement on automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurement.

AOBP measurement uses a validated automated upper-arm cuff BP device, programmed to record multiple BP readings at set intervals starting after a rest period. It is done by a trained operator using a standardised protocol in a quiet setting with the correct patient setup, no distractions, and in the absence of a doctor.

The device automatically calculates the average of the AOBP recordings, and this is comparable to the 24-h ambulatory BP daytime mean. The hypertension threshold based on AOBP is 135/85 mmHg.

Nationwide systematic implementation of AOBP measurement is now strongly recommended as the standard of care for hypertension detection, diagnosis and management in Australia. AOBP will support healthcare professionals, especially general practitioners, to obtain high-quality BP measurements with increasing confidence in clinical decision-making. If widely adopted, it will significantly contribute to achieving the National Hypertension Taskforce goal of at least 70% hypertension control by 2030.

Lead the change. Start using AOBP in your practice.

Stroke Foundation is a proud co-founding member of the National Hypertension Taskforce and has endorsed this position statement. It has also been endorsed by Hypertension Australia, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, Endocrine Society of Australia, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and Kidney Health Australia.

Read the position statement in the Journal of Hypertension