blood pressure measurement
Dear Sir or Madam,
During a spa stay, we were advised in writing to have blood pressure measurements taken in two approximately 2-minute intervals, with the second measurement being of crucial importance for the diagnosis of "hypertension".
I would like to request a plausible explanation for why, in my case, the second measurement consistently shows a value a few percentage points lower than the first measurement, despite both measurements being taken under identical conditions. I would also like to know if it is in accordance with the principles of medical practice that, apart from the so-called "white coat effect", the first, higher value is always considered as the starting point for the treatment of hypertension.
Yours faithfully
