Your doctor has requested that you undergo Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM). ABPM may be
done to get a more accurate measurement of your average blood pressure, or because you have different
readings in the doctor’s office than at home, or for other reasons. This test has been available for years, and
many thousands of patients have undergone this test without difficulty.
This is a safe and painless test.
You will wear a portable blood pressure monitor on your arm for 24 hours.
For your visit, please wear a shirt or blouse with loose fitting sleeves
The blood pressure cuff will be placed on your upper arm under your clothing, directly against the skin.
The cuff connects with a rubber tube to the monitor. This is a small box about 3 by 4 inches in size that can be
worn over your shoulder with a strap, attached to your belt, or carried in a large pocket in your clothes
At night the cuff is kept on, and the monitor is placed next to you in your bed or under your
pillow. You will not be able to take a bath or shower while wearing the cuff and you should not plan to do heavy
exercise (that is, exercise to the point where you sweat a lot). Otherwise, you should go about your usual daily
activities, including work, household tasks, and so on.
The monitor will take a reading every 15 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes at night. While a reading
is being taken, the cuff will inflate and squeeze your arm firmly, just as the blood pressure cuffs used in the
office or in stores do. While the cuff is inflating and deflating, it is best to try to avoid moving your arm, as this
may interfere with the reading. If the monitor has trouble getting a reading, it may re‐inflate in a minute or so to
try a second time.
We strongly urge you to leave the cuff on for as close to 24 hours as possible. If the cuff is simply too
uncomfortable (which is rarely the case), you can remove it by peeling cuff off of your arm. Do not press any of
the buttons on the monitor itself. When you return the next day to have the cuff removed, the medical
assistant will take off the cuff and you are free to leave.
