Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) at Wessex Hospital

Why do I need ABPM?

Your consultant may recommend ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for several reasons:

• Accurate readings: Monitoring your blood pressure over 24 hours provides a fuller picture of your blood pressure compared to a single reading in a clinic (called “white coat syndrome”)
• To diagnose high blood pressure (hypertension)
• To assess how well any medication is controlling your blood pressure
• To assess exactly when your blood pressure increases or decreases - for example, nocturnal hypertension (high blood pressure during sleep) or masked hypertension (normal blood pressure at the doctor’s office but high at home).

What happens during ABPM?

You will need to wear a device on your waist that is attached to a cuff on your upper arm. The device will measure your blood pressure at regular intervals throughout the specified period. Keep your arm relaxed when the cuff inflates and avoid talking. If the reading fails the cuff will inflate again.

You should carry on with your normal daily activities but please avoid strenuous exercise. Do not swim or have a bath or shower until the device is removed. Place the device under your pillow or on your bed while you sleep. You may be asked to keep a diary of your activities

At the end of your monitoring period, return the device to us. Our staff will analyse the recorded data in order to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.