Holter arterial blood pressure or ABPM
Arterial hypertension is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors. Through the blood pressure Holter or ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring) the cardiologist can collect data on the patient’s blood pressure for a certain time, while he performs his daily activity.
- The blood pressure Holter analyzes the patient’s pressure for 24 hours
- This test makes it possible to diagnose notable alterations in blood pressure
- Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor
ABPM or Blood Pressure Holter
The blood pressure Holter is a non-invasive procedure to measure blood pressure for a certain time, usually 24 hours.
Its use is becoming more frequent due to the usefulness it has shown in the detection of abnormalities in blood pressure. In addition, it allows the cardiologist to rigorously complement the information in order to determine an accurate cardiology diagnosis.
How does it work?
The Holter system should be placed first thing in the morning, before taking the treatment if it is scheduled. The sleeve is placed on the arm (same as those used in voltage tapping machines). The cables are hidden by clothing and connected to the portable device that the patient will wear on a belt or pants.
The device begins taking blood pressure readings every 15-20 minutes and every 20-30 minutes during the night. These data will be analyzed by the doctor to evaluate the blood pressure profile of the hypertensive patient and how it can infer his heart conditions.
This test should be performed in one business day so that data can be collected while the patient goes about their daily routine. Intense physical exercise should be avoided and medication should be taken as usual.
When is a Blood Pressure Holter performed?
The cardiologist will require a Holter blood pressure test to:
- Assess the response of the hypertensive patient to treatment
- Check the variability of blood pressure for 24 hours, that is, under normal conditions and under stress or anxiety
- Diagnose or confirm that the patient has hypertension
- Hypertension as a cardiovascular risk factor
Hypertension is a chronic disease that is characterized by higher than normal blood pressure figures, that is, values greater than 140 mmHg.
The pressure varies during the day, so it is necessary to take the measurements at different times. Hence the importance of performing the Holter test to obtain real and useful results.
High blood pressure is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. In these cases, the heart increases its muscle mass to cope with the overexertion that hypertension implies.
However, this increase does not mean an increase in blood flow, which can cause coronary insufficiency, angina pectoris or arrhythmias.
