Blood Pressure Holter (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)

Our blood pressure values can fluctuate throughout the day. They rise with excitement, stress, and physical activities, and decrease with rest. Blood pressure values that are higher during the day can decrease by 10-20 units during sleep. These variations can occur within certain limits even in healthy individuals.

At times, in outpatient settings, a patient’s blood pressure may be high, while values measured at home can turn out to be normal, known as white coat hypertension. Conversely, there are instances where a patient’s blood pressure remains high under normal conditions, but values measured in the hospital appear to be normal, referred to as masked hypertension. In some cases, the patient’s blood pressure monitoring may be insufficient to guide the physician, and in such instances, monitoring the patient’s blood pressure for 24 hours provides significant diagnostic assistance.

The blood pressure Holter, also known as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, involves the use of a mobile blood pressure device attached to the patient to measure and record blood pressure at predetermined times and intervals. While the device is attached, the patient is instructed to continue their normal daily activities and routine lifestyle. Additionally, if the patient has any specific complaints, they are advised to note the time in the provided daily diary. Subsequently, the blood pressure measurements recorded by the device are analyzed on a computer to identify the patient’s blood pressure and daily fluctuations.

The blood pressure Holter is not only indicative of hypertension but also serves as a guide in cases of suspected fainting (vasovagal syncope) due to sudden drops in blood pressure.