Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: A More Accurate Way to Check Your Blood Pressure
- Summers Avenue Family Medical Practice
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is one of the most common chronic health conditions affecting Australians. It is estimated that around 1 in 3 Australian adults have high blood pressure, with many people unaware they have it. Often called a “silent condition,” hypertension frequently has no obvious symptoms but can increase the risk of serious health problems including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and vascular dementia. With World Hypertension Day on 17 May, it’s a timely reminder to check your blood pressure and ensure it is being monitored accurately.
Why Isn’t One Reading Enough?
Clinic readings do not always tell the full story. Some patients experience white coat hypertension, where blood pressure appears elevated in a medical setting due to stress or anxiety, but is otherwise normal at home. On the other hand, some patients have masked hypertension, where blood pressure appears normal during a clinic visit but is elevated in everyday life or at home. Both situations can make diagnosis more difficult and may lead to either unnecessary treatment or a missed diagnosis.
What Is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring?
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a portable device worn for 24 hours that automatically records your blood pressure at regular intervals during the day and overnight. This allows your doctor to assess blood pressure patterns more accurately and gain a clearer picture of your overall cardiovascular health. Night-time (nocturnal) blood pressure patterns can also provide additional insight into cardiovascular risk. After 24 hours, the device is returned to the clinic and your doctor reviews the results to help confirm or exclude a diagnosis of hypertension.
If you have had fluctuating readings, concerns about your blood pressure, or have been advised to monitor it more closely, speak with one of our GPs to see whether ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is right for you.
Comments