Introduction. Available data on the use of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure recordings in private practice are limited. For this purpose we studied 39 consecutive hypertensive patients on treatment in a private practice.Method. Office blood pressure, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, daytime ambulatory blood pressure and M-mode echocardiography were undertaken in 39 consecutive hypertensive patients (21 men, 18 women) on treatment.Results. Mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure were lower than office blood pressure, similar to findings seen in academic settings. A blood pressure load of more than 50% was seen in 12 out of 39 patients (31 %). Left ventricular hypertrophy, assessed by means of Framingham criteria, was seen in 33% of patients. A white-coat effect was seen in 15.4% of patients.Conclusions. A large proportion (33%) of patients on treatment for hypertension had left ventricular hypertrophy, despite normal electrocardiograms. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements identified a blood pressure load of more than 50% in 31 % of patients on treatment for hypertension
