Understanding the service

What is it and what is its purpose?

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) takes repeated automatic readings during daily life and sleep. It assesses overall blood pressure, night-time patterns, and possible white-coat or masked hypertension.

A 24-hour recording shows blood pressure during real-life activities, at work, at home and during sleep. It helps diagnose white-coat or masked hypertension and assess treatment effectiveness.

How it is performed

01
An upper-arm cuff and a small waist-worn recorder are fitted.
02
Readings are taken at regular intervals over 24 hours.
03
Daytime, night-time and overall averages are calculated.

The patient experience

What to expect, step by step

Understanding the procedure helps you arrive better prepared and with greater confidence.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring — The device automatically measures blood pressure at repeated intervals, revealing daytime and night-time patterns.

01

On the day of your investigation or treatment

An upper-arm cuff and small waist-worn recorder are fitted. The cuff inflates automatically at programmed intervals. Keep your arm relaxed and still during readings, and record sleep, medication and any symptoms.

BEFORE

Preparation

Wear loose sleeves and take your medication as usual unless instructed otherwise.

AFTER

The first few hours

No recovery is needed after returning the device. Repeated measurements may cause temporary discomfort or a slight mark on the arm.

RETURN

Back to everyday life

The test is designed for your normal daily routine. Avoid bathing and activities that could wet or damage the device. Treatment decisions are based on the overall daytime and night-time pattern, not one reading.

Important

A single high reading is not interpreted in isolation; the overall pattern matters. Your treating team's individual instructions always take priority over the general information on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers before your appointment

Will it hurt?

Most non-invasive investigations are painless. You may feel only mild pressure from the ultrasound probe, blood pressure cuff or adhesive electrodes.

Should I stop my medication?

Not without specific medical instructions. Anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, diabetes medicines and other treatments may require special management, tailored to each patient and procedure.

When will I know the result?

Some results are available immediately, while recordings such as Holter or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring require full analysis. The results and next steps will be discussed at the agreed time.

When is urgent help needed?

New severe chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or persistent neurological symptoms require an immediate call to 112. Do not report these through the contact form.

Information sources

Based on reliable patient information

The content has been adapted for patients and clinical practice. It is not individual medical advice.

NHS — 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Individual assessment

Discuss whether this service is right for you.

Assessment by Dimitrios Gerontitis, cardiologist and arrhythmia specialist, in Chalkida or Marousi, Athens (IASO). View practice telephone numbers and addresses.

Book an appointment online

24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring