Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM): The ABPM will be performed on a day of standard activity, with an adequate cuff for the size of the patient's arm. A control system, SpaceLabs 90207 model (Spacelabs Healthcare, Issaquah, Washington, USA), validated according to the protocol of the British Hypertension Society, will be used [57]. The records in which the percentage of valid readings will be 80% of the total and with valid readings at all times were considered to be valid. Furthermore, for the records to be evaluable, at least 14 measurements will be required during the daytime period, or at least seven during the nightime or rest period. The monitor will be scheduled for obtaining blood pressure measurements every 20 min during the daytime period and every 30 min during the rest period. The average and dispersion estimators of SBP and DBP were calculated during the 24-h, daytime and nightime periods, defined based on the diary reported by the patient. The patient completes a form specifying bedtime and wake-up time.