24-hour BP monitor
What is 24-hour blood pressure monitoring?
Blood pressure is a measurement of how much force your heart uses to pump your blood.
How does blood pressure monitoring work?
By monitoring your blood pressure for 24 hours, including when you sleep, we can see a more detailed of your blood pressure numbers. Your blood pressure changes can be monitored throughout ongoing activities and rest. This will allow us to assess if you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
High blood pressure may indicate that you have an increased risk of health issues including heart disease, stroke and heart attack. If your blood pressure is high, this might mean that you would benefit from making lifestyle changes, or need treatment
In 24-hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring – also known as ambulatory monitoring – you will wear a device called a 24-hour BP monitor.
Why do I need 24-hour BP monitoring?
There are several reasons why you might need 24-hour BP monitoring.
Continuous BP monitoring is helpful if you have ‘white coat hypertension’, or ‘masked hypertension’. This is when your blood pressure is high when it’s measured at the doctor’s office, but is not normally high. A 24-hour BP monitor could show us that you don’t usually have high blood pressure, so could help you avoid taking medication unnecessarily.
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, a BP monitor can assess the effectiveness of medication over a 24-hour period. We can see if your blood pressure remains high when you are sleeping, as this may mean your medication needs to be adjusted.
A BP monitor can show us more generally if your high blood pressure isn’t being controlled. This could help us prevent complications such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack or kidney failure.
How does a 24-hour BP monitor work?
The device consists of a portable blood pressure meter that is fitted around your arm with a cuff, connected by a thin tube to a monitor on a belt around your waist.
A 24-hour BP monitor can measure your blood pressure and heart rate, and also allow your blood pressure distribution pattern to be calculated.
The device has two main parts. One part is the portable blood pressure meter that attaches to a cuff and goes around your upper arm.
This meter is connected by a thin tube to the monitor. The monitor is located in a small black pouch. It is worn on a belt around your waist, or in some cases a strap that goes over the shoulder.
A 24-hour BP monitor works by measuring your blood pressure at 15- to 30-minute intervals. When the device is recording, you’ll feel the cuff inflate. After the 24 hours is finished, you will come to the clinic with the monitor, and we can download the information it has recorded. Sometimes we’ll request specific data to discuss with you in your follow-up appointment.
.
How is a 24-hour BP monitor fitted?
We will advise you to wear a top with loose sleeves for your appointment. This allows us to fit the blood pressure cuff easily onto your upper arm.
The belt you’ll use to hold the monitor part can be your own. If you don’t have a belt that you want to use, we are happy to provide one.
Usually, the cuff is attached to your less dominant arm. This is your left arm if you are right-handed, and your right hand if you are left-handed.
We’ll inflate the blood pressure cuff and check that the monitor is recording properly, before setting the device to record your blood pressure at regular intervals.
After the 24 hours, you can turn off the monitor easily by removing it from the case and turning the switch located on the base to ‘off’.
Where can I get a 24-hour BP monitor?
At London Heart Clinic, we will provide you with a 24-hour BP monitors if we need to check changes in your blood pressure. After you have used it, you would usually return them to the clinic the following day.
You can also buy 24-hour BP monitors online.
Risks
Wearing this device is non-invasive and very safe. Some people find their upper arm becomes sore, due to the repeating inflation of the cuff, or they find it difficult to sleep. We will give you advice on doing your day-to-day activities during the 24 hours of monitoring when we fit the device.
Sleeping
At night, you can undo the belt that holds the monitor and place it under your pillow. This will make it easier for you to read or sleep. However, the cuff that holds the meter shouldn’t be removed from your upper arm.
Driving
It is not advisable to drive during the 24 hours you are wearing the monitor. For this reason, you should arrange transport to and from your appointment.
Exercising
We recommend that you don’t engage in any intense physical exercise while wearing the monitor. This includes going to the gym, swimming, or sport. However, taking a walk is fine.
Book a private 24-hour BP monitor
Our experienced cardiologists give you peace of mind with expert guidance and advice on the next steps.
Call us today on 0203 303 0325 to book an appointment today.
Resources
What our patients say
After suffering from a heart condition for a number of years I was very happy to meet Dr Ahsan, from the first consultation where he believed there was a solution I have now completed the surgery and had my final consultation with him today…”
I am very grateful to have Dr Syed Ahsan as my consultant. Dr Ahsan always greets you warmly on each visit despite his busy workload. Dr Ahsan explains everything clearly and helps you to understand even the most complex medical terms…”