What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)?

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, or ABPM, is when your blood pressure is taken during your usual routine. It takes up to 24 hours. A small digital blood pressure monitor is taped to a belt that you will wear around your waist and connected to a cuff around your upper arm. It is small enough that it won't interfere with your daily life, and you can even sleep with it.

What are the benefits?

By checking your blood pressure every 24 hours, your doctor can accurately assess the fluctuations in your blood pressure pattern during the day. This avoids all 'white coat' complications (where the anxiety of being measured by your doctor or nurse pushes the blood pressure up).

Why do I need this test?

We might require it for many reasons:

Diagnosis of high blood pressure (hypertension)
Patients who have higher readings while within the clinic ('white coat effect')
Blood pressure medication is needed or not
Whether any change in the medication is needed
To study further individuals whose blood pressure is not easily controlled
To assess if a patient's antihypertensive drugs work for them to regulate blood pressure at different times of the day
To know what happens at night to a patient's blood pressure.

How is it conducted?

This is very similar to your routine blood pressure recording: an electronic monitor reads your blood pressure by blowing up a cuff around your upper arm and slowly lowering the pressure within it. Typically, the monitor would be set up at your local hospital outpatient department or GP surgery. The nurse/health professional will turn the monitor on for you. It will be placed under protective cover and must remain in this area for the entire duration of the monitoring. The machine will continue to record blood pressure at regular intervals during the day. It usually is every 15-30 minutes during the day and 30-60 minutes at night, although this can vary between clinics.

If asked, you should keep the monitor on overnight; most patients place the machine under the pillow or bed where they sleep. Once your monitoring is complete, you can take the machine and cuff off and return it to the hospital or surgery. The device will record all your measurements, which will then be interpreted.

What am I required to do?

For the machine to work correctly, the tube to the machine should not be twisted or bent. It will also alert you when the machine is about to have a reading. On receiving this signal, you should:

Sit down if possible
Hold the cuff at the same level as your heart
Keep your arm still, don't talk, and don't cross your legs while recording.
It would help if you did not drive during the monitoring period. Your clinician may also ask you to keep a diary while wearing the monitor, including when you went to bed and got up and if and when you took your medications. For some, 24-hour testing can be very distracting and uncomfortable. Your clinician should advise you on what to do when they fit the monitor.

Do I need to do anything differently because I'm being tested?

No. Because the test is being carried out to find out what your normal day-to-day blood pressure is, it is essential to carry on with your regular routine and do all the things you would typically do. However, it would help if you avoided vigorous exercise.

What clothes should I wear for the appointment?

Wear loose clothes, preferably with a top with short sleeves. The monitor will be fitted underneath your top. You should also wear a belt to which the monitor can be attached.

Do I have to sleep with the monitor on?

Yes, if your doctor or nurse tells you to, you should bring the monitor in at night. This will allow us to appreciate what your blood pressure is doing while you are asleep.

May I bath/shower while being monitored?

Ideally, it would help if you did not shower or bath while taking the measurement. If you intend to take a bath or a shower, you must remove the monitor and cuff as these devices are not waterproof, and you should not get them wet. You must be aware that when reattaching the cuff, it must be put back in the same position as when fitted. If you need more clarification, then please ask your nurse for advice.

Will I need to keep a diary whilst having the monitoring done?

We need the information you write in your diary when we process your results.

Sometimes, there can be entirely valid reasons for high blood pressure, such as when running for a bus.

Each time your blood pressure is taken, you may be asked to note the time and what you did (walking, sitting, smoking, etc.). You don't need to do that at night, but you should remember to fill out the journal page that tracks when you slept and woke up. Should I write down every time I take all my medications?

The nurse/ health professional may advise you of this at your appointment. Record the name and dose of the drug and the time it was taken. Also, record any symptoms felt during the monitoring (pain, dizziness, etc.)

Why choose Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Lucknow, India. Our experienced Nephrologists uses advanced technology, and provides patient-focused care, the hospital ensures safer procedures, quicker recovery, and improved long-term outcomes.