Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor

Purpose

An ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a portable blood pressure recording device. It is used to record blood pressure readings at specified times during a 24-hour period. The monitor consists of an arm cuff attached by a flexible rubber tube to a light-weight monitor. The monitor sits in a pouch secured to a waist belt or shoulder strap.

An ambulatory blood pressure monitor may be used to:

• Assess patients whose blood pressure tends to increase in the doctor’s office (white coat syndrome)
• Evaluate a patient’s hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Monitor the effectiveness of blood pressure medications

Description

1. The monitor is worn for 24 hours.
2. Unless otherwise programmed, the arm cuff inflates every 20 minutes until 10:00 p.m. and every hour afterwards until 6:00 a.m.
3. If the patient feels symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, dizziness, headache, or facial flushing, he or she should press a button on the monitor to take a manual blood pressure reading.
4. The patient is asked to keep a diary of symptoms, vigorous activity, stressful episodes, schedule and dosage of blood pressure medication, time and quality of sleep, and time of awakening.
5. The patient must turn off the monitor at the end of the 24-hour test period.
   The equipment is returned in a clean bag by a specified time.
6. The recorded data is reviewed by a doctor and a report is sent to the referring physician in seven to 10 days from the date the monitor is returned. The referring physician will inform the patient of the results.

Patient Instructions

This test is not covered by OHIP. There is a $100 fee payable by Visa (only) or cash. Cheques are not accepted.

Set up of the monitor will be done in the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre on H1 of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Patients should bring a list of all their medications to the appointment and arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

Patients should inform the technologist if they are shift workers, have had a mastectomy, or are on dialysis.

Patients should not smoke or consume coffee within 60 minutes before the start of the test.

The equipment is to be returned to the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre (weekdays) or the Communication Centre (weekends) on the first floor of the Heart Institute.