**Understanding 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring** Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a non-invasive test that measures blood pressure over a 24-hour period, providing a more accurate representation of an individual's blood pressure patterns. **What does ABPM measure?** ABPM can detect: * **White coat hypertension**: Elevated readings when taking BP in a healthcare setting, but normal at home. * **Masked hypertension**: Normal readings at the doctor's office, but elevated at home. * **Sustained hypertension**: Elevated readings throughout the day and night. **Uses of ABPM** ABPM is used to: * Determine how well antihypertensive drugs control high blood pressure * Predict cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease linked to hypertension and organ damage * Evaluate pregnant women with hypertension * Identify people with "borderline" hypertension * Monitor BP changes due to other medications or prescription medication adjustments * Detect fainting episodes or hypotension (low BP) **Benefits of ABPM** ABPM can: * Rule out white coat hypertension, preventing unnecessary prescriptions for blood pressure-lowering drugs * Detect masked hypertension, ensuring patients receive necessary treatments * Reduce the incidence of stroke, heart disease, and organ damage due to hypertension * Evaluate a patient's response to long-acting antihypertensive medications **Disadvantages of ABPM** ABPM may cause: * Discomfort due to repeated cuff inflation, leading to soreness in the upper arm * Interference with sleep due to nocturnal BP readings * Mild skin irritation or rash from the cuff * Some insurance carriers do not reimburse patients for using ambulatory devices, unless white coat hypertension or masked hypertension is suspected. **How are ABPM readings taken?** ABPM involves: * Wearing a device about the size of a portable radio on a belt or strap around the body * Attaching a BP cuff to the device and wearing it around the upper arm * Taking readings at intervals throughout the day and night * Keeping a diary to record daily readings, if necessary * Returning the device and BP cuff to the clinic or doctor's office after 24 hours A computer analyzes the readings and generates results.