Questionable link between normo- to microalbuminuria and home-measured blood pressure variability in hypertension

The accumulated results of clinical trials have shown that the strict control of blood pressure (BP) is essential for preventing target organ damage and reducing cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients (Figure 1). Although hypertension is usually diagnosed based on measurements of BP recorded during a visit to a physician (that is, office BP), several studies have shown that target organ damage and prognosis are more closely associated with ambulatory BP or home BP than with office BP. At present, hypertensive patients with albuminuria are increasing in number and cardiovascular complications are the most common cause of death in these hypertensive patients with albuminuria. Thus, it would be of considerable value to identify the mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular events associated with hypertension complicated with albuminuria.