Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

For Patients

Available at all clinics

It is not uncommon for Blood Pressure (BP) to be high when visiting your Doctor, even though it could be normal the rest of the day. However, high blood pressure can cause serious health problems that can lead to disability, increased risk of stroke and early death.

A 24-hour Blood Pressure Monitor measures your blood pressure at regular intervals over a whole day to provide better accuracy of BP and targeted medication when required. You will have the monitor fitted at the time of arrival and will be generally unrestricted in your daily activities.

Sleep Study Tests Available

Level 2 Sleep Study

Conducted in the comfort of your home, this study measures breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and muscle activity, helping diagnose sleep disorders and determine effective treatment strategies.

Level 3 Sleep Study

A home-based study which is focused on detecting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) or Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)

Level 4 Sleep Study

Level four is the most basic type of sleep study, looking at oxygen saturation levels during sleep.

How the Process Works

Sleep Assessment

Text: During the 30-minute consultation, our sleep clinicians will discuss the sleep-related issues you’re experiencing. After you complete the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire, we’ll provide you with a sleep monitor to conduct a Level 3 sleep study. This study will offer detailed diagnostic insights to help identify sleep apnoea and determine its severity.

Treatment

Treatment options might include:

CPAP (Positive Airway Pressure) therapy
Nasal EPAP
Referral to an ENT surgeon
Weight management

Long term therapy and support

CPAP therapy can be challenging, but a comfortable mask and quality equipment make a big difference. As a ResMed preferred supplier, X stocks a full range of CPAP products and offers mask fittings to help you find the right fit.
We provide extra support, including rental packages (short or long-term), ongoing monitoring, annual data checks, and reviews. Disability allowance support may be available for those on limited incomes.

ABPM FAQ’s

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Why do you need an ABPM test?

A 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor is used to assess blood pressure in a more accurate way than a 'one-off' reading in a doctor’s surgery. It may be used to investigate the following:

To predict the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) related to elevated levels of blood pressure more accurately
To help confirm or exclude the diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure)
To assess or monitor the effectiveness of treatments for high blood pressure
To investigate low blood pressure
To assess sleeping blood pressure

What are the risks of an ABPM test?

This is a very safe non-invasive test. The cuff on your arm will automatically inflate tightly, several times each hour (not as frequently overnight).

Some patients may experience a minor discomfort from the blood pressure cuff when it inflates. How high the cuff inflates is directly dependent on how high your blood pressure is.

What can you expect during an ABPM test?

A health practitioner will place the blood pressure cuff on your non-dominant arm. A test blood pressure will be performed to set the baseline for the 24-hour test.

The cuff on your arm will automatically inflate tightly, every 30 minutes during the daytime and then reset to hourly measurements overnight (10 pm – 6 am).

The procedure does not impair your ability to drive. Please remember to keep your arm relaxed during inflations, to allow accurate recording. In patients with lymphoedema of the arm or patients at risk of lymphoedema (eg: prior breast cancer) your other arm is generally used. Please mention this to the medical staff at the time of fitting if this applies to you.

You will be required to wear the device for approximately 24 hours and return the monitor to the clinic the following day at the specified time.

How can you prepare for your ABPM test?

We suggest showering/bathing before your appointment as you will be wearing the device for 24 hours and cannot shower/bathe with the device on. However, the device can be removed for showering/bathing and refitted after; this will be explained by the person fitting your device. We suggest a loose-fitting top for convenience when fitting the device.

What should you do during an ABPM test?

You should go about your activities in a normal manner during your 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor test.

The technician will provide you with a diary to complete. You should make an entry every time you feel symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. You should record the time symptoms occurred, what symptoms occurred and what you were doing at the time. Please return the diary with your device the following day.

What happens after an ABPM test?

The blood pressure readings obtained are downloaded and analysed by a cardiac physiologist. The results are made available to your health provider who will contact you.