Which term describes elevated readings at home but low readings in the office?

• A. Masked HTN
• B. Hypertensive crisis
• C. Auscultatory gap
• D. Korotkoff sounds

Answer: (A)

Masked hypertension occurs when blood pressure is elevated outside the clinic (such as at home) but remains low or normal during office visits. This pattern means the high BP is “masked” during the exam, so it can be missed unless home or ambulatory BP monitoring is used. It carries cardiovascular risk similar to sustained hypertension, so confirming the pattern with validated home measurements or ABPM is important. For accurate home readings, ensure proper technique: seated with back supported, feet uncrossed, arm at heart level, appropriate cuff size, and take multiple readings twice daily over several days while avoiding caffeine or nicotine before measurements. In contrast, white coat hypertension shows high office BP with normal home readings; a hypertensive crisis is an acute, dangerous BP elevation with potential organ damage; auscultatory gap is a measurement artifact related to Korotkoff sounds, not the home-versus-office BP pattern.