24 hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a way for you health care team to know what your blood pressure is when you are not in the physicians office, during your normal daily activities. It is a small machine with a blood pressure cuff attached. The machine is automatic and about the size of a portable radio. The monitor is carried by a strap over your shoulder or the monitor resting is on your waist, opposite the site where the cuff is applied. This non-invasive machine take blood pressure reading over a 24 hour period, during which time, you go about your usual activities.
Everyone’s blood pressure (BP) changes throughout the day depending upon physical and mental activity. Blood pressure can vary in the physician’s office or in a clinic. Collecting several blood pressure readings over a 24- hour period of normal activities will give your nurse and physician information to help make a better assessment of your blood pressure. The monitor is worn for 24 hours and will take blood pressures several times throughout the day and night.