Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) measures your blood pressure as you carry on your normal routine.
The small digital machine measures your blood pressure at regular intervals in order to provide a clear picture of how your blood pressure changes throughout the day. A cuff is placed around your upper arm and the machine itself can be attached to a belt for comfort.
Measuring your blood pressure is a simple way of checking if your blood pressure is either too high, or too low. If your blood pressure is too high, this can lead to heart failure and strokes. As such, this easy test may save your life.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is more accurate than isolated single BP measurements. The APBM test is carried out over a 24-hour period, and enables you to move around and continue with your normal daily life.
During the test, a small digital monitor will be attached to your upper arm by a secure disposable cuff to keep it in place.
Measuring your blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period will allow your consultant to get a clear picture of how your blood pressure changes throughout the day.
Your consultant may suggest 24-hour monitoring to you because they want to see if:
• Your readings are higher outside of a clinical setting
• Any medicines you may be taking are working effectively
• Your blood pressure stays high overnight
After your monitor has been fitted, it will take your blood pressure at regular intervals, approximately every 30 minutes during the daytime and 60 minutes during the night. You will need to keep the monitor on at night to get an accurate 24-hour reading.
When the monitor is just about to take a reading, the machine will beep. For the machine to work properly, it’s important that you:
• Sit down if it is possible to do so
• Keep the cuff at the same level as your heart
• Keep your arm steady
Once your 24-hour period is over, you can return your machine to our heart clinic. Your results will have already been automatically stored.