Pre-test instructions
If you are entitled to ambulance transport to the hospital, and for monitor collection and return after use, please telephone 08000 323 240. Please wear a loose fitting top with trousers or a skirt on the day of your appointment.
After your test, please ask the Cardiac Investigations Unit receptionist to arrange your ambulance transport home. You will be in the department for approximately 15 minutes.
It is a small portable device worn around the waist or on a shoulder strap, and connected by a narrow tube, to a cuff placed around your upper arm.
The cuff will automatically inflate to measure and record your blood pressure at regular intervals throughout the day and night. The tubing and cuff will lie under clothing and you will be able to carry on with regular daily activities with the exception of baths, showers, swimming or vigorous sports. You must not get the monitor wet.
The cardiac physiologist will take a blood pressure reading and then the recorder will automatically measure and store your blood pressure every 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes during the night. Do not worry if the cuff inflates immediately after taking a reading. This is because it has been unable to measure your blood pressure on the first cycle.
If unsuccessful on the second attempt, it will wait until the next programmed reading before inflating again. The measurements are displayed on the monitor for the first five readings only. The subsequent display will only show dashes even though your Blood Pressure measurements are still being stored in the monitor.
Having your blood pressure monitored in your own environment, over a period of time can provide your doctor with a more accurate assessment than a single recording taken during a clinic visit.
It can also assess patients who are known to have high blood pressure and determine how effective their treatment is.
There are no known risks involved with this test. However, it may be slightly uncomfortable as the cuff inflates. Do try to keep your arm still and relaxed, avoiding unnecessary movements whilst the blood pressure readings are taking place.
This will lessen the chance of the monitor having to repeat a measurement. If, however, the blood pressure cuff becomes too uncomfortable during measurements, you can abort the reading and/or remove the cuff but please leave a note with the recorder on return explaining why the test was stopped.
If you have any concerns or questions you may telephone Cardiac Investigations Unit Reception between 8:45am and 4:30pm.
Telephone: (01253) 957735 or 957736.
Returning the monitor
• You can take the monitor off at home, by removing the cuff from your arm and you or a relative or friend must return it to the Cardiac Investigation Unit, no later than 24 hours after fitting.
• Do not remove the batteries.
• If your appointment is on a Friday, please return it on the following Monday to the Cardiac Investigations Unit reception.
• On the day of the test you will be required to sign a loan agreement form.
All the equipment identified in the loan agreement must be returned at the end of the loan period.
Your consultant or a member of his/her team will review the readings obtained. You will either see a member of your consultant’s team in the outpatient clinic at a later date or your GP may receive a letter from your consultant usually 4-5 weeks after the test. You will, however, be contacted sooner if appropriate.
