A portable blood pressure recording device that provides doctors information about your blood pressure over a 24-hour period. An ABPM is used to detect high blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension) in an individual.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitors are delicate and expensive medical devices. As such, you will be asked to sign a responsibility form to ensure that you will return the device on time and in working condition. We do ask that you refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes or scented lotions on the day of your appointment. There are no pretest dietary restrictions and you should continue to take any prescribed medications as normal, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
Test Process
An ABP monitor consists of an arm cuff and a monitor which are connected to each other by a rubber tube. Before passing the monitor over to you, a cardiac technician will program the device and take the first reading in office to ensure that all settings are correct. The arm cuff will be wrapped snugly around your bicep, and the monitor secured to a waist belt or a shoulder strap.
Over a 24-hour period, the arm cuff will inflate as follows:
Every 30 minutes from the first reading until 11:00 pm
Every hour from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am
Every 30 minutes from 7 am until you return to the clinic.
Please do not remove the ABP monitor yourself. Your technician will turn off the device and remove it on site.