Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), also called 24-hour Blood Pressure Recording, is a non-invasive test that measures your blood pressure at regular intervals over a full day and night while you go about your normal activities.
Unlike a clinic or home BP check that gives a single reading, ABPM provides a complete picture of blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day, including during sleep.
● A small digital BP monitor is attached to your arm with a cuff.
● The device automatically records your blood pressure every 15–30 minutes during
the day and every 30–60 minutes at night.
● After 24 hours, your doctor reviews the data to see patterns and variations.
ABPM is considered the gold standard for accurate blood pressure measurement because
it:
● Detects white coat hypertension (high BP only in the clinic).
● Identifies masked hypertension (normal BP in clinic but high at home).
● Monitors blood pressure control in patients already on medication.
● Checks for night-time hypertension (important risk factor for heart disease &
stroke).
● Helps assess risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Your doctor may suggest ABPM if you:
● Have inconsistent or fluctuating blood pressure readings.
● Show high BP in clinic but normal at home (white coat effect).
● Show normal clinic readings but symptoms of high BP (masked hypertension).
● Are being treated for hypertension but need closer monitoring.
● Have risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, or family history of
hypertension.
● Provides a true picture of your blood pressure.
● Helps avoid over- or under-treatment of hypertension.
● Detects hidden risks like night-time or early morning BP rise.
● Improves long-term heart and kidney health outcomes.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is now an essential tool in diagnosing and managing hypertension effectively, ensuring treatment decisions are based on the most accurate data.
