Table 1.

Characteristics, indices of assessment and determinants of the different types of BPV

Type of BPV	Methods for assessment	Main types of index	Determinants
Very short-term BPV (seconds or minutes, beat-to beat)	Continuous BP recordings	SD CoV ARV Spectral analysis	Neurohormonal factors (baroreceptor reflex, sympathetic drive) Emotion and stress
Short-term BPV (within a day, 24-h)	ABPM HBPM	SD CoV 24-h weighted SD ARV 24-h VIM Spectral analysis	Circadian rhythm Nocturnal dipping of BP; night/day ratio Obstructive sleep apnea Neurohormonal factors (glucocorticoids, RAAS system) Emotional and behavioural factors
Mid-term BPV (between days, day-to-day)	ABPM over 48 h HBPM	SD CoV ARV VIM	Choice of antihypertensive treatment Adherence to therapy Vascular factors (endothelial damage, arterial compliance)
Long-term BPV (between seasons, visit-to visit)	ABPM HBPM OBPM	SD CoV ARV VIM	Choice of antihypertensive treatment Adherence to therapy Vascular factors (endothelial damage, arterial compliance) Seasonal changes

BPV blood pressure variability, SD standard deviation of BV values, CoV coefficient of variation, assessed by dividing SD by the corresponding mean BP and multiplied by 100, ARV average real variability, the average of the absolute differences between consecutive BP measurement, VIM variability independent of the mean, ABPM ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, HBPM home blood pressure monitoring, OBPM office blood pressure monitoring, RAAS renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system