Singapore: AtCor Medical highlighted that the results of a new randomized clinical study had demonstrated the benefits of using central blood pressure measurement to manage the health of patients with high blood pressure or hypertension. The study has been published online in advance of publication in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.

The study was designed to determine the value of central blood pressure for guiding management of hypertension. The study was conducted at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, the Princess Alexandria Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane and the Canberra Hospital, Australia National University, Canberra.

The study concluded that, "Guidance of hypertension management with central blood pressure results in a significantly different therapeutic pathway than conventional cuff blood pressure, with less use of medication to achieve blood pressure control and no adverse effects on left ventricular mass, aortic stiffness, or quality of life."

Mr Duncan Ross, CEO, AtCor Medical, said, "This study points towards the medical and economic value of using central blood pressure to guide management of hypertensive patients. The results have worldwide significance and clearly demonstrate the benefits of using central blood pressure in clinical care."

Lead study author and associate professor James Sharman said that central blood pressure is considered to be a more accurate indicator of the pressure the heart and other vital organs experience. He added, "The main finding was that significantly less medication was needed to achieve healthy blood pressure levels when treatment decisions were based on central blood pressure. These are important findings because people taking these medications can experience unwanted side effects that impact on quality of life, but these adverse effects are less likely with lower doses."