Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

Blood pressure monitoring is a cornerstone of cardiovascular health assessment. Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) provides a reliable and comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s blood pressure over a 24-hour period.

The device records blood pressure readings at regular intervals:

• Every 30 minutes during daytime hours (7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

• Every hour during nighttime hours (10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.)

This allows for detailed insight into the patient's blood pressure profile, including fluctuations that may not be detected during in-office measurements.

Clinical Indications for ABPM

• Hypertension Screening: For initial diagnosis, especially in patients with borderline or fluctuating in-office readings.

• Evaluation of Treatment Efficacy: To optimize antihypertensive therapy in diagnosed hypertensive patients.

• “White Coat Syndrome” Assessment: Identifies patients whose elevated blood pressure occurs solely in clinical settings.

• Masked Hypertension: Detects high blood pressure that may be missed during routine office measurements.

• Hypotension Evaluation: For patients with unexplained symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.

• Occupational Screening: For certain professions where blood pressure control is critical (e.g., pilots, drivers).

• Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: Provides additional data to estimate the patient’s long-term cardiovascular risk.

Why ABPM Matters

Studies from leading medical organizations, including the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic, emphasize the importance of ABPM in improving diagnostic accuracy. ABPM has been shown to:

• Detect nocturnal hypertension, a strong predictor of cardiovascular events.

• Identify patterns like non-dipping blood pressure (lack of nighttime decline), which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

• Reduce misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment for patients with "white coat" or "masked" hypertension.

ABPM also improves patient compliance by eliminating the need for manual blood pressure tracking, which can often be inaccurate or incomplete.

Support for Referring Physicians

At Advanced Cardio Diagnostics, we are committed to partnering with referring physicians to ensure affordable and accessible diagnostic tools for their patients.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Fee

ABPM is not covered by OHIP. However, to make this essential diagnostic tool accessible to all patients, we have set the lowest fee in the GTA at just $50 (cash only).

This nominal fee is designed to cover operational costs while avoiding additional charges from point-of-sale systems or credit card processing fees. We operate this service at cost to ensure accessibility for patients, as we recognize the critical value of ABPM in diagnosing and managing hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.

Report Processing

The recorded data from the 24-hour monitoring period is meticulously analyzed by a cardiologist. A detailed report, including conclusions and clinical recommendations, is sent directly to the referring physician. This ensures that patients receive timely and accurate follow-up care.

The Role of ABPM in Modern Cardiovascular Care

ABPM is a lifesaving diagnostic tool that provides crucial data for the early detection and management of hypertension and related conditions. Its ability to capture a complete 24-hour blood pressure profile makes it invaluable in tailoring personalized treatment plans and improving patient outcomes.

Next Steps

To refer a patient for ABPM or other diagnostic modalities, please download the Requisition Form and submit it via fax to our Requisition Processing Centre at 647-351-6648.