What is a 24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitor?

A blood pressure cuff is placed on your less dominant arm and connected to a small recorder. You will be required to wear the monitor overnight and return it the following day. At set intervals throughout the day and night (usually every 30 minutes during the day and hourly overnight), the blood pressure cuff will automatically inflate and record your blood pressure. To ensure an accurate reading, it’s important that you keep your arm straight and your body still whenever the BP cuff inflates. If the reading fails, the cuff will make a couple of subsequent inflations until an accurate reading is achieved. You may be asked to keep a log of your activities each time the cuff inflates, making special note of any symptoms you may be experiencing.

How do I prepare for the test?

As you will be wearing the blood pressure monitor for 24 hours, you will need to shower or bathe before the fitting. You will need to return the monitor the next day. It is very important to return the monitor by the time specified, as another patient will be scheduled to use it.

How long does the test take?

A 24 hour Blood Pressure Monitor takes approximately 10 minutes to fit.