American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

An average 24-hour ABPM of 130/80 mm Hg corresponds to a clinic blood pressure of which of the following?

1. 120/80 mm Hg

2. 130/85 mm Hg

3. 140/90 mm Hg

4. 150/95 mm Hg

The correct answer is: 140/90 mm Hg

The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) reading of 130/80 mm Hg generally corresponds to a higher clinic blood pressure due to the phenomenon known as "white coat hypertension" and the natural fluctuations of blood pressure throughout the day. In a clinical setting, patients often exhibit higher blood pressure readings compared to their average readings from ABPM. This discrepancy is commonly seen as the stress of being in a clinical environment can elevate blood pressure temporarily. The average ABPM reading of 130/80 mm Hg suggests that this individual falls within the range of elevated blood pressure. When correlating this with clinic readings, the average blood pressure that would typically relate is around 140/90 mm Hg. This level is consistent with the classifications of hypertension, as it serves as a threshold for diagnosis. Therefore, the choice that aligns with a clinic reading most representative of an average 24-hour ABPM of 130/80 mm Hg is 140/90 mm Hg, capturing the common scenario where individuals have higher blood pressure measurements when assessed in a healthcare setting.