What Is ABPM?
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is one of the most accurate and reliable methods of assessing your blood pressure. Unlike a standard in-clinic reading, ABPM monitors your blood pressure over a full 24-hour period, taking regular measurements throughout the day and night.
This provides a much clearer picture of your cardiovascular health, identifying patterns and irregularities that may not appear during a single reading. It is particularly useful for detecting white coat hypertension, masked hypertension, or significant fluctuations related to lifestyle, stress, or medication.
ABPM offers patients and healthcare providers a deeper understanding of blood pressure behaviour, enabling informed decisions, accurate diagnoses, and effective treatment plans. At The Village Pharmacy, we provide this service professionally and comfortably, ensuring you receive thorough and reliable results.
Why Might You Need ABPM?
ABPM may be recommended by a healthcare provider or chosen by patients who want a more detailed assessment of their cardiovascular health. You may need ABPM if you:
- Have had high blood pressure readings in the clinic
- Experience anxiety during medical appointments (white coat syndrome)
- Have normal readings in the clinic but symptoms of high blood pressure at home
- Need to monitor medication effectiveness
- Experience dizziness, headaches, or related symptoms
- Have risk factors such as diabetes, kidney issues, or a family history of hypertension
- Are over 40 and monitoring long-term heart health
A 24-hour blood pressure profile offers valuable insight into how your body manages blood pressure during daily activities, sleep, stress, and rest.
What Does the ABPM Process Involve?
- Initial Setup at The Village Pharmacy
You’ll receive a short appointment where the pharmacist fits a small, lightweight monitor around your waist and a cuff around your upper arm. The device is discreet and comfortable. - 24-Hour Monitoring
The monitor checks your blood pressure automatically at regular intervals during the day and less frequently at night.
You can continue with normal activities such as work, walking, and household tasks. - Returning the Device
After 24 hours, return to the pharmacy for device removal. - Results and Explanation
Your pharmacist downloads your readings and provides a clear explanation of:- Average daytime and nighttime readings
- Any unusual patterns
- Whether readings fall within healthy ranges
- Whether further follow-up is recommended
ABPM offers a detailed understanding of your cardiovascular health in a way that single readings cannot.
How The Village Pharmacy Can Help
✔️ Accurate, reliable cardiovascular assessment
✔️ Comfortable, discreet 24-hour monitor
✔️ Detailed explanation of results
✔️ Support in managing long-term heart health
✔️ Advice on lifestyle, medication, and next steps
We help you gain a clear understanding of your blood pressure and what it means for your health.
How Much Does It Cost?
Our Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) service is free under the NHS for eligible patients as part of the NHS Hypertension Case-Finding Service.
If you do not meet the NHS eligibility criteria, the service is still available privately and can provide valuable insight into your blood pressure patterns.
