Penticton Blood Pressure Monitoring

What is 24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring?

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a non-invasive method of obtaining blood pressure readings over a 24-hour period, while you continue with your normal daily activities. It works much like a normal blood pressure check. A digital machine is provided to you by Penticton’s Carmi Remedy’s Rx Pharmacy. The machine takes your blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your upper arm and then slowly releases the pressure. The machine is small enough to be worn on a belt on your waist while the cuff stays on your upper arm for the full 24 hours.

 
The machine then takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day: usually, every 15-30 minutes during the daytime and 30-60 minutes at night. You will need to keep the monitor on through the night – you could put the machine under the pillow or on the bed while you sleep.
Because the test is being carried out to find out what your normal daily blood pressure is, it is important to carry on with your normal routine and do all the things you would normally do. The only things you should avoid doing for the day are swimming and having a bath or shower.
At the end of the 24 hours you can remove the machine and cuff and bring it back to Carmi Remedy’s Rx Pharmacy. The machine will have stored all your readings and these will then be analyzed.
 

Reasons Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring may be done:

• 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.
• Your doctor may want to find out if your high blood pressure readings in the clinic are higher than the readings you get at home. This is often referred to as “isolated office hypertension” or the “white coat effect”. It can occur due to the anxiety induced by a medical clinic visit and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring will help to rule this out. This is very important as  “white coat hypertension” is not typically treated with medication. This will ensure that you are not being medicated when it is not necessary.
• Your doctor may want to see how well your medicines are working, to make sure they are controlling your blood pressure through the day.
• ABPM with also help to determine if your blood pressure stays high during the night. If this is the case, your doctor may need to change or adjust your medicines.
• Your doctor may suggest ABPM if you have been getting fluctuating office blood pressure readings.

What do I need to know before I pick up my Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor?

• A top with loose short sleeves will best accommodate the cuff.
• You may wish to shower or bath prior to your appointment as the monitor needs to be worn continually for 24 hours.
• Please bring a list of all current medication.

What can I expect during the procedure?

• A blood pressure cuff will be fitted to your upper arm. The cuff is attached to a digital machine that will record your pressure throughout the 24 hour period.
• The digital machine will be placed in a case and can be worn on a belt or on your shoulder as a cross body purse. It is small enough to continue with your daily activities.
• To allow the machine to work properly, when the machine starts to get tight on your arm, stop what you are doing and relax your arm.
• When sleeping, you can keep the monitor at your side in bed. The blood pressure cuff must remain on your arm while you are sleeping.

What happens after you return your monitor?

• Once your monitor is returned to Carmi Remedy’s Rx Pharmacy, the information is downloaded and a report is formulated. The machine will have stored all your readings and these will then be analyzed.