A blood pressure reading may be taken and the inflatable cuff removed within a minute. Unfortunately a measurement can only be taken during this brief period of time. This can make capturing periods of poorly controlled hypertension difficult. For your doctor to be confident that your blood pressure does not fluctuate greatly, an ABP monitor may be selected. The monitor has the advantage of taking readings regularly over a period of 24 hours, recording blood pressure and heart rate into a very small computer chip. This allows evaluation of the efficacy of a medication or how your blood pressure responds during your daily routine.

No preparation is required for placement of the monitor. A standard blood pressure cuff will be placed just above the elbow on your non-dominant arm. The ABP monitor is the size of a small walkman and can be placed in a pouch so it may be slung across your shoulder. The monitor will be set to inflate every 20 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes during your sleeping hours, to make the recording period more comfortable for you. During the day the monitor will beep to indicate that it is about to inflate. Try to keep your arm as still as possible during the reading or the cuff will inflate again until a correct reading is taken. An event diary will also be given to you to record the time of all activities, medications or events such as light headedness. The monitor is not water-resistant, so no showers or baths can be taken during the recording. When you do return to us the following day, the completed event diary will be taken and the cuff easily removed. The monitor use is safe and comfortable, with the unit being neither bulky nor cumbersome.