24 hour blood pressure monitoring (1944)
Key points below
Pediatric Renal and Hypertension Clinic
What is a blood pressure monitor?
A blood pressure monitor is a small machine that is worn on a belt. It is attached to a blood pressure cuff. The cuff squeezes the arm (inflates) every 20 minutes for 24 hours. This measures your blood pressure. This will feel tight, but should not hurt. During the day a beeping sound will tell you when the cuff is about to inflate. This beeping sound will not be used at night.
Why is a blood pressure monitor used?
This monitor will give your health care provider information. They can see what your blood pressure is during an entire day while you are awake and sleeping.
How do I start blood pressure monitoring at home?
These appointments are not made by Central Scheduling. The Renal and Hypertension clinic will call you when a machine is ready. This could take many weeks. An appointment will be made for you to come in to the clinic. The monitor and cuff will be put on during your visit. You will be told how to wear it, take it off, and how to return it when you are done.
If you need to change the date, call the Renal and Hypertension Clinic at 414-266-4255. They will only be able to give you a new date when they have a monitor. Call the Renal Clinic nurse line at 414-266-2018 if you have any questions or concerns.
What do I need to do?
When you go to the clinic:
Plan to do the test when you will be home for 24 hours. Do not go to school or work with the monitor on.
- Take a bath or shower before your appointment. You won’t be able to take the cuff off to bathe.
- Wear a short sleeve t-shirt to the appointment.
When you have the cuff on:
Keep your arm and hand still when the cuff is inflating. When it is not inflating you can do normal activities.
Do not do things that will make it hard to get a correct blood pressure reading. This includes:
- anything that can break the monitor.
- contact sports.
- swimming.
- going to a friend’s house for a sleepover.
You will be given a diary.
- Write down the time you went to sleep, woke up, or took any medicine.
- Write down any unusual events like headaches, dizziness, or other concerns too.
Return the monitor as soon as possible after the test is done. You can bring it back to the clinic or we can give you supplies to mail it back.
How will I get the results of the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring?
It may take up to two weeks to get the results. Your provider will share with the results with you at a new visit or over the phone.
For other health and wellness information check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents