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Office blood pressure measurement using mercury sphygmomanometer is the gold standard for making diagnoses of hypertension, evaluation of cardiovascular risk and estimation of obtained control of treated hypertensives. The vast majority of epidemiologic data are based on this method. However, the importance of blood pressure variability, white coat effect as well as availability of simple devices, home and ambulatory blood pressure measurements became routine parts in routine clinical work. As mercury will be soon forbidden in clinical work such devices and methodology will be even more important. In everyday clinical practice all three techniques should be implemented and in this paper advantages and drawbacks of all techniques are discussed. In the end, based on recent data and recommendations of international societies, diagnostic algorithm was proposed. Additionally, we described the technique of non-invasive central blood pressure measurement, determination of pulse wave velocity and calculation of augmentation index, new proposed risk factors.

Arterial blood pressure has been measured using mercury sphygmomanometer and auscultatory method for more than a hundred years. The results obtained by this measurement method make the basis of almost all conclusions related to pathogenesis, epidemiology and treatment of arterial hypertension. However, some deviations from ordinarily obtained data have been observed but are undoubtedly due to superficial approach to this simple method. A number of lesser faults can together result in an eventually inaccurate conclusion both regarding diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic effects. The aim of this short review article is to remind us of those little efforts needed to be done for improving the exactness of measurement in order to increase the accuracy of results. The ultimate consequence should be better care of patients with high blood pressure.

Arterial blood pressure has been measured using mercury sphygmomanometer and auscultatory method for more than a hundred years. The results obtained by this measurement method make the basis of almost all conclusions related to pathogenesis, epidemiology and treatment of arterial hypertension. However, some deviations from ordinarily obtained data have been observed but are undoubtedly due to superficial approach to this simple method. A number of lesser faults can together result in an eventually inaccurate conclusion both regarding diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic effects. The aim of this short review article is to remind us of those little efforts needed to be done for improving the exactness of measurement in order to increase the accuracy of results. The ultimate consequence should be better care of patients with high blood pressure.