Why are multiple BP measurements taken on different visits when diagnosing hypertension?

• A. To confirm persistent elevation and reduce white coat or situational bias; guideline-based diagnosis typically requires repeated elevated readings across visits.
• B. To average all readings to a single value.
• C. To confirm the patient’s mood.
• D. To test different cuff sizes.

Answer: (A)

BP varies from moment to moment and can be affected by stress, recent activity, caffeine, and other factors. Measuring on different visits helps confirm that the elevated reading is not just a temporary spike. The white coat effect—where BP is higher in a clinical setting—can mislead if we rely on a single measurement. By taking readings across multiple visits, clinicians can see whether the elevated BP is persistent, which is what guidelines use to diagnose hypertension. Often an average of readings from several visits (or using home/ambulatory monitoring) provides a clearer picture of true BP status.