Out-of-office BP measurement vital

I agree with Dr. Rappaport's take on long term BP management in family practice. Another thing I always do is get a 24 hour bp monitor on all patients with their first high BP in my office. It spares the patient, taxpayer and I the wasted time of 3 visits and nails the diagnosis. When the patient invariably whines about the cost I point out to them that this is one of the most important things they will ever do and it is well worth a few bucks to avoid death or a heart attack or a stroke. Also they are spared high insurance premiums if the get a normal result. Sincerely, John Crosby, Family Physician , Cambridge On.