24hr Blood Pressure Monitor

Your doctor might request a 24hr blood pressure monitor to:

• Check if your blood pressure (BP) is normal, high, or low throughout the day.
• Get a more accurate look at your BP readings. Readings done in the doctor’s office are often higher due to ‘white-coat syndrome’ (an anxiety-induced blood pressure spike).
• Assess the effectiveness of your current blood pressure medications.

You can eat normally and take your medications, at their usual times, before the test.  We recommend patients:

• Wear comfortable clothing. 
• Bathe or shower in the days (or hours) before your test. You cannot bathe, shower or swim during the 24-testing period.

A technician will explain the process and attach the blood pressure monitor.

• The blood pressure cuff will be attached to the upper portion of your left arm (in line with your heart).
• The blood pressure monitor will be attached to a belt on your waist.
• The monitor typically records your blood pressure every 15-30 minutes during the day and 30-60 minutes during the night.
• The resulting report is interpreted by a doctor (internist, family physician, and/or cardiologist).
• After 24 hours of wear, you can remove the monitor and cuff and return it to the clinic.

To ensure your test is accurate throughout your regular daily activities:

• Hold your arm in a relaxed positions when the monitoring is recording (you’ll hear an audible beep before the recording begins).
• Keep the cuff at the same level as your heart.