Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) gives a recording of your blood pressure over a 24-hour period, while you move around, living your normal daily life. It is encouraged that you do it on a day when you are going about your normal day. It uses a small digital blood pressure machine that is attached to a belt around your arm or body and which is connected to a cuff around your upper arm. It is small enough that you can go about your normal daily life and even sleep with it while on.
Why might I need a 24-hour monitor?
By measuring your blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours, your doctor is able to get clear pictures of how your blood pressure changes throughout the day and night, including the normal nocturnal reduction in pressure.
There are a number of reasons why your doctor might suggest this test:
- To find out if your high blood pressure readings in the clinic are much higher than they are away from the surgery
- To see how well your medicines are working throughout the day
- To check for the presence of the normal dip in blood pressure overnight
What do I need to do during 24-hour blood pressure monitoring?
Please wear loose clothing and do not shower or bathe while wearing the device. Your comfort while driving your car may be affected as the meter records every 30 minutes between 8am & 11pm, and hourly overnight.
To allow the machine to work properly, it is important to make sure that the tube to the machine is not twisted or bent. The meter gives a bleep just prior to taking a reading. You should then sit down, if possible, keeping your arm supported and steady with the cuff at the level of your heart.
After the 24 hours have elapsed, the monitor is returned to the practice and the results are analysed and used to inform any treatment plan, if required.
The cost is €100 but is free to GMS Medical Card holders.