This is a means of recording your blood pressure over a 24 hour period.  This is performed to assess your blood pressure while you are undertaking your normal daily activities.

HOW IS THIS DONE?

A blood pressure cuff is applied to your arm and then connected to a small recorder which is worn over your shoulder.  The cuff will automatically inflate every 20 minutes during the day and evening and every hour during the night time (however if a suitable recording is not registered the cuff may inflate within a shorter period).

It is helpful if loose-sleeved garments are worn and the arm is relaxed when the cuff inflates.

You should try to follow all your normal daily activities, except showering, bathing or swimming.  You will be provided with a diary to complete with details of events and any symptoms throughout the 24 hour period.  This will aid interpretation of your blood pressure during the differing circumstances.

It will be necessary to return to the department at the same time the following day, to have the recorder removed.

It would be helpful if you could write down the times you get up and go to bed prior to attending the department.  This will help to program the monitor for your needs as soon as you arrive in the department, and therefore shorten you waiting time.

Once you have returned the recorder this will be analysed and results sent to your doctor.

WHY IS A 24 HOUR BP MONITOR USEFUL?

A 24 hour BP monitor can give detailed information about changes in blood pressure over a prolonged period. This is useful to evaluate whether blood pressure is normal, raised or too low. This can allow decisions to be made as to whether blood pressure needs treating. It is an excellent, relatively inexpensive way of non-invasively evaluating the blood pressure out of hospital.

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