Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
An ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a portable blood pressure recording device. Doctors order ABPM to record blood pressure during a 24 hour period in order to detect high blood pressure (Hypertension) or low blood pressure (Hypotension). It is also used to assess patients with “white coat syndrome”; when blood pressure is higher when it is taken in a medical setting than it is when taken at home, as well as for measuring the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Fee
Ambulatory Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is not covered by OHIP. Taking the latest worldwide economic state into consideration, Advanced Cardio Diagnostics has adopted the lowest fee of any other ABPM service providers in Ontario in order to give equal opportunity for medical evaluation to all of our patients.
The fee for Ambulatory Pressure Monitoring is $50 (fifty dollars) payable by cash only.
Special Instructions
There are no pretest dietary restrictions, with the exception of coffee consumption. The patient should continue to take any prescribed medications before and after the test, unless otherwise advised by their doctor.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your test to register at the reception desk. Bring your health card and your requisition form (if your physician has provided you with one).
Ambulatory Pressure Monitoring is a delicate and expensive medical device. You will be asked to sign a responsibility form to ensure that you will return the device on time and in working condition.
During the test
The monitor consists of two parts: an arm cuff and the monitor, which are connected to each other by a rubber tube. The technician will program the monitor and will take a primary reading to ensure that the monitor settings are correct. The monitor will be placed in a pouch and secured to a waist belt or a shoulder strap. You will be instructed to keep a diary of any symptoms, vigorous activity and stressful episodes, in addition to the schedule and dosage of blood pressure medication.
The arm cuff will inflate every 30 minutes until 10:00 p.m., and every hour afterwards until 6:00 a.m. During the day time, when the cuff inflates you will need to stop any physical activity to ensure accurate measurements of your blood pressure are taken.
The patient must turn off the monitor (by removing the battery) at the end of the 24-hour test period. The equipment is then returned in a clean bag by the date specified.