Ambulatory BP Monitor

ABPM

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a simple, safe test that measures your blood pressure automatically over a 24-hour period as you go about your normal daily routine and sleep. While a single blood pressure check at a clinic only gives us a brief snapshot, ABPM tracks your blood pressure continuously throughout the day and night. This provides a complete picture of how your blood pressure responds to daily activities, stress, and rest.

Reviewed by Dr. Hamid Banijamali on November 1, 2026

Medical type (for search engines)

Medical test

Preparation PDF

Ambulatory BP Monitor patient preparation information

Your doctor may recommend ABPM to:

  • Get a More Accurate Picture: Confirm whether your blood pressure is truly high or if it fluctuates throughout the day.

  • Identify "White Coat Effect": Rule out temporarily high readings caused by anxiety or stress during a clinic visit.

  • Detect "Masked Hypertension": Catch blood pressure that appears normal in the clinic but rises at home or work.

  • Check Evening & Nighttime Pattern: See if your blood pressure naturally drops while you sleep, which is an important sign of healthy circulation.

  • Evaluate Treatment: Check how effectively your current medication is controlling your blood pressure over a full 24 hours.

How to prepare

  1. Setup: A trained clinical staff member will wrap a comfortable cuff around your arm and connect it to a small, lightweight monitor worn on a belt or strap around your waist.

  2. Automatic Readings:

    • Daytime: The cuff will inflate automatically every 15 to 30 minutes.

    • Nighttime: The cuff will inflate less frequently (usually every 30 to 60 minutes) so it won't interrupt your sleep too much.

  3. Daily Log: You will keep a short, simple activity diary to record when you eat, exercise, take medications, feel stressed, go to sleep, and wake up.

Please also review Patient Preparation Information sheet.

What to expect

Helpful Tips During Your Test

  • When the cuff inflates: Stop moving, relax your arm, and keep it still at heart level until the pressure releases.

  • Keep it dry: Do not shower, bathe, or swim while wearing the monitor.

  • Stick to your normal routine: Go about your regular day-to-day activities so the test reflects your real-life environment.

  • Follow medication advice: Take your usual medications unless your doctor specifically instructs you otherwise.

After 24 hours, you will return the device and your activity log to the clinic. Our healthcare team will download the data, review the detailed report, and discuss the next steps with you.