Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a test done to record your blood pressure at fixed intervals throughout a 24-hr period while you move around, living your normal everyday life. It uses a small blood pressure machine that is attached to a belt around your body and is connected via a tube to a cuff wrapped around your upper arm. It is small enough not to obstruct normal daily life and you can even sleep with it on.
What is useful for?
By measuring blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours, your doctor is able to get a clear picture of how the blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day and night. There are a number of reasons why your doctor might suggest this test:
- To confirm if you have high blood pressure and just how high it is.
- If your blood pressure readings are always high in the office, but lower at home, your doctor may want to know if you have “white coat syndrome”
- To assess how well the medicines are working for high blood pressure, and to make sure they are controlling your blood pressure throughout the day and night.
24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring is a useful diagnostic tool prior to prescribing blood pressure medication, as it can help determine if there are external factors influencing a patient’s blood pressure. Often these factors are modifiable such stress, diet, alcohol or caffeine intake, and poor sleep.
Ask your provider if a 24-hr Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor is right for you!
