Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring involves measuring blood pressure (BP) at regular intervals (usually every 20–30 minutes) over a 24 hour period while patients undergo normal daily activities, including sleep. The portable monitor is worn on a belt connected to a standard cuff on the upper arm  and uses an oscillometric technique to detect systolic, diastolic and mean BP as well as heart rate.

When complete, the device is connected to a computer that prepares a report of the 24 hour, day time, night time, and sleep and awake (if recorded) average systolic and diastolic BP and heart rate.   

What are the indications?

  • Suspected white-coat hypertension (BP in clinic ,normal at home)• 
  • Suspected masked hypertension (untreated subject with normal clinic BP and elevated ABP)
  • Suspected nocturnal hypertension or no night time reduction in BP (dipping)
  • Hypertension despite appropriate treatment
  • Patients with a high risk of future cardiovascular events (even if clinic BP is normal)• 
  • Suspected episodic hypertension.

Ambulatory BP monitoring may also be useful for:

  • Titrating anti hypertensive therapy 
  • Borderline hypertension
  • Hypertension detected early in pregnancy
  • Suspected or confirmed sleep apnoea
  • Syncope or other symptoms suggesting orthostatic hypotension (Postural fall of BP), where this cannot be demonstrated in the clinic