Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) may become an indispensable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension if its precise role is determined. ABPM is accomplished with a special device that consists of a blood pressure cuff that is worn on your arm and is attached to a small recording device that you wear on your belt. You wear the ABPM device for either 24 or 48 hours, and it records your blood pressure periodically (usually at 15-minute or 30-minute intervals) throughout that period, during your routine daily activities and while you are sleeping. So, the ABPM provides your healthcare provider with a complete record of your blood pressure for a one or two day period.