Ambulatory BP Monitoring (ABPM)

Why People Require ABPM?

There are various reasons why people may require ABPM:

• To recognise and study the pattern of hypertension.
• To recognise patients who have higher blood pressure readings when in the facility. This approach is also known as 'white coat impact'.
• To help choose if blood pressure medication is required.
• To choose whether any change to the patient's current medications is required.
• To perceive how well a patient's blood pressure medicines are regulating the pulse during the daytime.

Who Qualifies for ABPM?

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), a non-invasive device, is being increasingly used to assess the patients with hypertension. Considering the lifestyle factors of the 21st century, people who are more than 40 years old must consult their doctors to monitor their blood pressure.

How is the ABPM used?

A cuff attached is wrapped around your upper arm by a doctor. An electronic monitor takes your blood pressure by inflating a cuff around your upper arm and then slowly releasing the pressure.

The monitor is started by the ABPM nurse or doctor. Doctors advise the patients to keep the device protected inside a pouch. It is essential that the ABPM device is held in it for the duration of the monitoring. The machine then takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day. Usually, the blood pressure is monitored every 15-30 minutes during the daytime. At night, the device monitors the bloodstream every 30-60 minutes.

The doctor may ask you to keep the monitor on throughout the night. This step helps in getting a thorough look at the reports to reach a decisive conclusion.

Once the monitoring period is over, the patient visits the doctor to get the machine and cuff removed. The device will have stored all the readings, which will be analysed to monitor his or her health.

What are the Limitations of ABPM?

• Limited availability
• Cost implications
• It may dysfunction
• May cause discomfort while sleeping
• Inability to detect genuine measurements
• Some people may be not like wearing a device for too long
• There is a possibility of false or inaccurate readings during the monitoring