24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
Expert Blood Pressure Management in the West Midlands
We provide 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), a highly effective tool for understanding your blood pressure patterns over a full day and night.
Unlike a single blood pressure measurement taken in the clinic, ABPM allows us to track your blood pressure throughout your normal daily activities, including work, exercise, and sleep. This provides a more detailed and accurate assessment of how your blood pressure behaves in real-life conditions.
What is 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)?
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a method of continuously measuring your blood pressure over a 24-hour period. A small, portable device is attached to your arm with a cuff, which automatically inflates at regular intervals—typically every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and less frequently at night. This allows us to monitor your blood pressure during various activities and during sleep, offering a comprehensive view of your cardiovascular health.
ABPM is particularly useful for detecting variations in blood pressure that may not be noticeable during a standard doctor’s visit. By wearing the monitor as you go about your day, we can obtain a clearer picture of how your blood pressure fluctuates, helping to diagnose conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure), and ensuring your treatment is effective.
Cost
- 24hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring test £620
- Focused GP appointment (15min) £75
- Standard GP appointment (30min) £120
Why is 24-Hour blood pressure monitoring important?
- Detecting hidden blood pressure issues: Some individuals experience white coat syndrome, where their blood pressure is temporarily elevated due to anxiety during a doctor’s visit. Others may have masked hypertension, where blood pressure is normal in the clinic but rises during daily activities. ABPM helps to detect these hidden patterns, providing a more accurate diagnosis than a single reading in the clinic.
- Understanding blood pressure variability: Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day based on activity, stress, and even sleep. ABPM tracks these variations to determine if your blood pressure remains consistently high, only spikes during certain activities, or drops to unsafe levels. This is essential in diagnosing conditions like nocturnal hypertension, which can be a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease.
- Assessing treatment effectiveness: For patients already on medication to control high blood pressure, ABPM is a valuable tool for evaluating how well treatment is working. Dr Ibrar Ahmed can analyze the recorded data to ensure your blood pressure is within the desired range throughout the day, and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
- Preventing future cardiovascular issues: Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Early detection through ABPM allows us to take the necessary steps to reduce these risks and ensure better long-term health outcomes.
Who should have 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?
ABPM is recommended for individuals who:
- Experience fluctuating blood pressure readings in the clinic
- Have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and require ongoing monitoring of their condition
- Suffer from white coat hypertension or masked hypertension
- Have nocturnal hypertension, where blood pressure rises during sleep
- Are starting or adjusting blood pressure medications
- Have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease
The process
You will be fitted with a portable blood pressure monitor. The cuff will be worn on your upper arm, while the device, which is small and lightweight, will be clipped to your belt or placed in a pocket. You will be instructed to continue your usual daily activities, including exercise and work, as the device measures your blood pressure at regular intervals.
Throughout the 24-hour monitoring period, it is important to avoid tampering with the device. Once the monitoring period is over, you’ll return to the clinic where the device will be removed, and a report provided.
If required, Dr Ahmed will analyse the recorded data. From there, he will provide you with a detailed report and discuss any necessary steps to improve your heart health or modify your treatment plan.
Get seen by Dr Ibrar Ahmed
If you’re concerned about high blood pressure or simply want a thorough assessment of your heart health, 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring can provide the answers you need. Whether you’re looking to confirm a diagnosis or fine-tune your treatment plan, at OneMedicine we are here to support you.
Take control of your blood pressure today – book your ABPM and consultation with Dr Ibrar Ahmed at OneMedicine.
