24-hour blood pressure measurement
What does ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring mean?
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or measurement is a method for measuring and controlling high blood pressure. High blood pressure is present when the upper value (systolic blood pressure) is at least 135 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) and/or the lower value (diastolic blood pressure) is at least 85 mmHg.
What are the benefits of measuring blood pressure at home?
The primary purpose of ambulatory blood pressure measurement is to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.
Furthermore, ambulatory blood pressure measurement can be used to determine how your blood pressure changes in relation to your daily activities and sleep patterns. Typically, systolic blood pressure (the highest reading) drops by 10 to 20% when you sleep. However, there may also be deviations. The systolic blood pressure can remain the same or rise.
To check how well your blood pressure medications control your high blood pressure. Please note that your medications may not regulate your blood pressure throughout the day and night. Depending on how your blood pressure develops, the dosage or time of day you take your medications may need to be adjusted. It is also possible that you will need more than one medication to stabilize your blood pressure.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can help detect abnormal blood pressure changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. This method is helpful in identifying different blood pressure patterns.
What can you expect during a 24-hour blood pressure measurement?
In an outpatient 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, your blood pressure readings are recorded over a period of about 24 hours, whether you are awake or asleep. The measurement takes place outside the practice, while you go about your daily activities. You wear a cuff on your arm and a small device that is attached to a strap or belt.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring involves collecting dozens of readings over a period of time. In most cases, readings are taken every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes at night. The device also records your heart rate, i.e. the number of beats per minute, as well as central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity (an indication of vascular stiffness).
We use this data to calculate your average blood pressure over a 24-hour period. In addition, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, blood pressure distribution and other statistics are calculated.
Why choose Dr. Konstantinou to treat your high blood pressure?
Dr. Konstantinou is a qualified Hypertensiologist (high blood pressure specialist) of the German Hypertension League and will help you to recognize your high blood pressure, exclude possible causes and create a therapy plan.
The most modern equipment is available for the diagnosis of arterial hypertension. In addition to the blood pressure of the brachial artery, the algorithm also detects the central (aortal) blood pressure and the pulse wave velocity. This information is helpful in better understanding and treating arterial hypertension.
Not only medication can help, but also exercise therapy, behavioral therapy and lifestyle optimization.