ABPM and HBPM in action

 When it comes to the diagnosis of high blood pressure, or hypertension, in patients, many health organizations, including the American Heart Association, recommend either Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) or home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM). This is recommended for most patients with high in-office BP readings.

These two methods of diagnosing hypertension are often considered superior to solely relying on in-office BP readings, which might offer a misleading picture of your patients’ health and could lead to misdiagnosis and over or under-medication.

But what are the differences between ABPM and HBPM? Does one practice offer any inherent benefits over the other?

The rate of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) studies is on the rise with more and more clinical organizations recommending ABPM for routine hypertension. While patients are familiar with office and home blood pressure monitors, ABPM remains a relatively unknown procedure. How do you explain ABPM to your patients and ensure you get the compliance you need for accurate diagnosis and treatment?

A patient with high BP readings in the office is a prime candidate for ABPM to confirm diagnosis of hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends either ABPM or home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) for most patients with high in office BP readings.