**What is 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?** Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a diagnostic test that measures your blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period while you're wearing a device on your body. This type of monitoring can help diagnose and manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. **What are the benefits of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?** The benefits of ABPM include: * Ruling out "white coat hypertension," which is elevated blood pressure readings in a doctor's office but normal at home. * Detecting "masked hypertension," which is high blood pressure at home but normal at rest. * Reducing the risk of stroke, heart disease, and organ damage due to hypertension. * Evaluating a patient's response to long-acting antihypertensive medications. **What are the disadvantages of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?** The disadvantages of ABPM include: * Discomfort from wearing the device for 24 hours. * Potential skin irritation or rash from the cuff. * Possible interference with sleep due to nighttime blood pressure readings. * Some insurance carriers may not reimburse patients for using ambulatory devices, unless white coat hypertension or masked hypertension is suspected. **How are 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure readings taken?** ABPM involves wearing a device that collects blood pressure data over a 24-hour period. The device is attached to a belt or strap worn on your body and includes a BP cuff that inflates at regular intervals. You may be asked to keep a diary to record your daily readings, which can help show how changes in your BP relate to periods of activity or rest. After 24 hours, you remove the device and return it to your clinic or doctor's office, where the data is analyzed and results are generated.