24-Hours Blood Pressure Monitoring
24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is when your blood pressure is monitored as you go about doing the normal things you do in daily life.
It provides information about your blood pressure and how the changes may correspond with your daily activities and sleep patterns to give a complete picture.
ABPM provides multiple blood pressure readings during normal daily activities and sleep. The results can help your doctor assess your blood pressure pattern, investigate possible hypertension and determine whether your current treatment is controlling your blood pressure appropriately. It can additionally be used to assess how effective a particular medication is in controlling high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension.
Having a monitor fitted is straightforward. A small digital blood pressure machine is used that can be worn around your neck with a strap provided or attached to a belt around your body.
Because ABPM takes multiple blood pressure measurements throughout the day and night, it can provide more information about your blood pressure pattern than a single reading taken at one point in time.
Multiple readings can help your doctor assess your blood pressure during normal daily activities and sleep and consider whether further assessment or treatment adjustment is appropriate.
ABPM Troubleshooting
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Extra beats
- Shortness of breath
- If you faint
- Develop a rash or redness on skin
Most people can continue wearing the monitor during their usual activities, although the cuff may cause temporary discomfort when it inflates.
Contact the practice during business hours if you have concerns about the monitor, cuff or your skin, or if you experience persistent discomfort, tingling, bruising or other problems while wearing the device.
If you develop severe or worsening chest pain, significant difficulty breathing, fainting or other symptoms that make you seriously unwell, seek urgent medical attention. Call Triple Zero (000) for a medical emergency.
For non-emergency concerns about the monitor, contact the practice during business hours on (02) 9063 8650.
Can I continue to do my normal activities while wearing the monitor?
You can generally continue your usual daily activities while wearing the monitor unless your healthcare team gives you different instructions. Following your normal routine can help your doctor interpret your blood pressure readings in the context of your usual activities
How do I shower with the ABP monitor?
The ABPM device should be kept dry. Unless your healthcare team gives you different instructions, avoid showering, bathing and swimming while wearing the monitor
Can I still use my C-PAP machine if I have an ABP monitor fitted?
If you use a CPAP machine, tell the practice when your ABPM is fitted. Your healthcare team can advise you on using both devices safely and avoiding entanglement between the tubing.
Where do I put the monitor at night?
It is important to remove the pouch strap and tubing from around your neck when you are ready to go to sleep. Place the monitor next to you on the bed or on another nearby surface. Ensure there are no kinks in the tubing as this can prevent blood pressure measurement recording. The cuff must remain attached to your arm.
Will I get any sleep?
Some people fall asleep quickly, some have difficulty. Some people sleep deeply, others more lightly. Due to the repeated inflation of the cuff overnight, you may not experience a typical night’s sleep.
- Fewer blood pressure readings are taken overnight. Your ABP monitor will be programmed to take your blood pressure every hour from 11pm until 7am. From 7am, half-hourly measurements will begin again.
Can I play sports while I am wearing the monitor?
You can generally continue your usual activities unless your doctor or the practice has advised otherwise.
Avoid water-based activities while wearing the monitor, as the device needs to remain dry. Contact sports may also need to be avoided because they could damage the monitor or tubing.
If you are unsure whether a particular activity is suitable, ask the practice when the monitor is fitted.
Can I have an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound while wearing the ABPM?
Tell the imaging service that you are wearing an ambulatory blood pressure monitor before having an imaging examination.
Some imaging procedures may require the monitor to be removed or may not be compatible with the device. The imaging provider or your healthcare team can advise you about whether the monitor needs to be removed and how this should be managed.
If you have an urgent imaging appointment, contact the practice or imaging provider for advice rather than delaying necessary medical care.
The cuff is falling down. Can I adjust it myself?
The cuff needs to remain correctly positioned on your arm to help the monitor obtain useful blood pressure measurements
During business hours, you can contact our rooms and return to have the cuff adjusted by a trained collector if you prefer.
Why does the monitor keep taking double readings?
The cuff will inflate every 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes overnight to measure your blood pressure. If an error occurs for any reason, and a BP reading is unable to be obtained, the monitor will automatically attempt another reading.
The Cuff Is Painful or I Feel Unwell. What Should I Do?
The inflation of the blood pressure cuff over 24 hours can cause a temporary discomfort for some people, however, it should not be painful.
If you experience pain, tingling in your fingers, notice bruising or have any other concerns contact us for further advice.
Some people experience tingling in fingers or hand during a measurement. This can occur as the cuff tightens. It should be temporary and resolve quite quickly once the cuff has deflated and there is no longer pressure on the arm. If the tingling persists, is accompanied by pain, or if you have any concerns, please contact us.
If you become unwell during the monitoring period or have concerns regarding your health, please seek medical assistance from your doctor or hospital.
If this happens outside working hours and/or you are unable to reach us, please remove the cuff from your arm and seek medical attention if required.
Attend the collection centre for your scheduled removal appointment. Please return the monitor and cuff. If you removed the monitor, provide the details to us at the time of removal. Once the monitoring period is complete, the monitor and cuff will be returned to the practice. The recorded information can then be reviewed and your doctor can discuss the results and any recommended follow-up with you.
