Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring?

This device automatically measures your blood pressure at regular intervals during the day and night for a 24 hour period. 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 while you can even sleep with it on.

What Amulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring?

Your doctor may request you have an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor for the following reasons:

  • To confirm you suffer from high blood pressure and how high the readings are over 24 hours.
  • To establish any fluctuations in blood pressure in everyday life.
  • To eliminate the possibility of the ‘White Coat Effect’ – where your blood pressure reading goes up in a doctor’s office when it may otherwise be normal.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure monitoring can also show your specialist the following:

  • The effectiveness of medications and if they are successfully controlling your Blood pressure levels.
  • Help in establishing healthy and safe exercise plans.

Prior to the test

  • As we are unable to get the device wet, please shower prior to your test.
  • It may be helpful to wear a two-piece outfit.

Connection of the device

  • A blood pressure cuff will be placed on the upper arm and must remain in place throughout the entire monitoring period.
  • A small recording device will be worn across the shoulder or around the waist.

During the monitoring period

  • When the device beeps, it is about to take a blood pressure measurement. Please sit or stand still, stop talking and keep your cuffed arm straight until the cuff deflates.
  • If you experience any symptoms (even if they were brief or slight), press the event EVENT button on the device, and make a note of the symptoms in the special diary which will be given to you.
  • Please press the day-night Day/Night button once when you go to sleep and once when you wake up.
  • If you have any difficulties with the equipment or feel it may have been dislodged, please notify the office on 9389 8658.
  • Go about your normal activities throughout the testing period.

After the 24 hour monitoring period

  • The equipment and symptom diary must be returned at a specific time (usually your scheduled appointment the following day).
  • A full report will be sent to your Doctor after the results have been reviewed by a Cardiologist.