Standardized BP Measurement Protocols

In the SPRINT^{16 (link)} and ACCORD-BP^{20 (link)} trials, BP was measured seated using a similar oscillometric device (Model 907XL in SPRINT^{22 (link)} and Model 907 in ACCORD-BP,^{20 (link)} Omron Healthcare). A mean of 3 subsequent BP measurements was recorded as baseline and follow-up BP. BPs were measured after 5 minutes of rest in both SPRINT and ACCORD-BP.^{23 (link)} BP measurements were scheduled at baseline, monthly for the first 3 months, and every 3 months thereafter in SPRINT. In the intensive group in ACCORD-BP, BP measurements were scheduled at baseline, every month for the first 4 months, and every 2 months thereafter; in the standard treatment group, BP measurements were scheduled at baseline, month 1, month 4, and every 4 months thereafter. For the present analysis, the treated SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) for each patient were computed by taking the mean of their BP measurement from month 3 to the last reading.