WHY HAS MY DOCTOR REQUESTED THIS INVESTIGATION?
Generally an ABP recording is ordered to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension; it may also be used to identify abnormally low BP in individuals who are experiencing symptoms of lightheadedness or dizziness, or who have experienced a collapse or fainting episode (occurring sometimes as a result of overtreatment of high BP).
Some patients have high blood pressure readings in their doctor’s surgery while having a normal BP at home; this is known as ‘white coat hypertension’. It is important to correctly identify those individuals with true hypertension as a significantly raised BP may have serious health implications, including increased risk of stroke, coronary artery disease and heart failure, renal impairment and dementia.
Some patients have high blood pressure readings in their doctor’s surgery while having a normal BP at home; this is known as ‘white coat hypertension’. It is important to correctly identify those individuals with true hypertension as a significantly raised BP may have serious health implications, including increased risk of stroke, coronary artery disease and heart failure, renal impairment and dementia.