Because “ambulatory” refers to being in motion, the technique is preferred because the ambulatory blood pressure monitor is accurate when compared with “whitecoat” readings altered by being in a healthcare provider office.
This article explains what is meant by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, how the ABPM devices work, and information about some models that you may want for home use.
How It Works
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is accomplished with a special device that consists of a blood pressure cuff worn on your arm. It’s attached to a small recording device that you wear on your belt.
You wear the ABPM device for 24 hours. Throughout that period, it records your blood pressure, typically at 15-minute or 30-minute intervals, during your routine daily activities and while you are sleeping. The ABPM provides your healthcare provider with a complete record of your blood pressure, which fluctuates (changes) throughout the day and night.
The ABPM does not report merely a single value for systolic and diastolic blood pressure that supposedly represents your official “blood pressure.” Instead, it reports an entire range of (often) widely variable values throughout the course of a day or longer.
How Do You Measure Ambulatory Blood Pressure?
Using the ABPM to diagnose hypertension (high blood pressure) requires a different approach to interpreting your blood pressure recordings.
The technique most commonly used for evaluating the results of ABPM is to average a person’s systolic and diastolic blood pressures across the full 24-hour period. Separate averages are calculated for the hours that you are awake and asleep.
When Is ABPM Used?
While high blood pressure readings taken in a healthcare provider’s office may truly indicate hypertension is present, sometimes that is just not the case. ABPM is helpful in assessing people with white coat hypertension.
24-Hour ABPM Average: systolic blood pressure above 125 mmHg, OR diastolic blood pressure above 75 mmHg. ABPM Average for “Awake” Hours: systolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg, OR diastolic blood pressure above 80 mmHg. ABPM Average for “Asleep” Hours: systolic blood pressure above 110 mmHg, OR diastolic blood pressure above 65 mmHg.
Some people have wide fluctuations in blood pressure and ABPM can help with a difficult diagnosis. It’s also useful to investigate whether existing anti-hypertensive medications are working, or why they’re not effective.
ABPM can help in the diagnosis and treatment of some forms of dysautonomia, an autonomic nervous system disorder that can lead to intermittent and unpredictable episodes of very low blood pressure.
ABPM Costs and Availability
In most cases, an ambulatory blood pressure machine is provided through your healthcare provider or a specialized hypertension center. They are used as part of an ABPM exam. The devices cost between $2,000 and $2,500, even for a primary care practice to acquire.
Usually, you will use one under the healthcare provider’s direction. That means the provider will give it to you, but the cost for this service is $200 to $250. Keep in mind that insurance companies may approve its use only for certain conditions. The reimbursement rates also will vary, so check your own provider for details.
In some cases, ambulatory blood pressure monitor rental may be available through a pharmacy or clinic near you. That’s a less common use, though, for the product.
A Word From Verywell
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a way of assessing a person’s blood pressure during their routine daily activities and during sleep. This measurement is often more accurate than those taken in a healthcare office. Ask your provider if you have questions about ABPM.
