Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitors
Better Diagnosis - Accurate Assessment
Blood pressure varies throughout the day in response to different activities and stress levels. For an accurate assessment, it is recommended to perform ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring or measure blood pressure (BP) over a 24-hour period. This method allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the following factors:
- Suspected white-coat hypertension (normal home BP; high clinic BP)
- Suspected masked hypertension (normal clinic BP; high home BP)
- Suspected nocturnal hypertension (high BP) or reduction (dipping) at night
- Suspected episodic hypertension
- Hypertension that does not respond to treatment
- Potential high risk of cardiovascular events even with normal clinic BP
Accurate Diagnosis and Optimum Care
The ABP device is made up of an inflatable cuff attached to a monitor similar to a clinic device. The cuff is secured on your arm and fixed at your waist to a belt. Blood pressure is checked every half an hour when you are awake while you go about your daily routine, and every hour while you are asleep. Variations in blood pressure are recorded by the monitor. After 24 hours, a report is prepared and reviewed by your doctor.
While individual BP measurements at the clinic are important for screening and management of high BP, 24-hour BP monitoring helps in accurate diagnosis and optimum care. Additionally, monitoring of blood pressure in the home setting may reduce stress, and is especially beneficial for the elderly and home-bound.
