BP (Blood Pressure Holter) is an examination during which the patient’s blood pressure is monitored throughout the day (also called ABPM – ambulatory blood pressure monitoring).

    How is the examination done:

    The patient arrives at the clinic in the morning, where a pressure cuff and a device that is attached to a belt are placed on his shoulder. Then the patient goes home or to work – we recommend having a normal daily routine to evaluate the blood pressure response to a normal daily load. However, certain extremes in daily regimens (although “normal” for the patient) are not suitable for pressure monitoring – e.g. all day driving.

    The device measures the pressure completely automatically in certain intervals (during the day after 15 minutes, at night after 30 minutes).

    Also, when ordering an appointment, it is necessary to realize that the device growls silently during the measurement – which does not matter in most activities, but e.g. it can be stressful in a theater or at an important meeting.

    It is necessary to keep a diary for the correct evaluation of the examination – this is essential for the evaluation of blood pressure compensation, because what may be under normal pressure may already be considered a pathology at rest.

    The result of the examination is a curve of blood pressure values during the day, together with an assessment of how much of the day the blood pressure was normal and an assessment of the nocturnal decrease. With the help of such an evaluation, it is possible to subsequently adjust the patient’s treatment if necessary.

    Notes:
    • Keep your hand relaxed when inflating the cuff, do not move it. If the instrument fails the measurement, it will repeat it again.
    • Do not shower or otherwise soak the device and avoid activities in which it could be mechanically damaged (eg martial arts).
    Troubleshooting:
    • Disconnecting the hose: the parts of the hose are connected by a bayonet cap – place the ends of the hose together and turn them gently until they click into place.
    • The device inflates repeatedly: incorrectly placed cuff – slide the cuff higher (it is with Velcro). The cuff should be loaded on the shoulder in its middle part (not on the elbow or under the shoulder). If the device snarls repeatedly but the cuff does not inflate, check the hose for kinks.
    • The device repeatedly measures and does not store the measured value – insufficient length of holding the limb at rest.
    • Replacing the batteries: remove the cover, remove the old batteries and insert new ones (pay attention to the polarity of the batteries).