MAP. Holter blood pressure

Diagnostic test that allows the recording of blood pressure figures continuously for a certain preset period of time. The registration is carried out by means of the use of a device known as voltage holter formed by a portable sphygmomanometer (device that measures blood pressure figures) connected to a tape recorder in which they remain recorded data obtained for later analysis on the.

How is the study done?

The sphygmomanometer (in the form of a cuff) is placed around one arms, under clothing; The small, lightweight recorder is typically worn on a belt or inside a pocket.

The study is carried out in a ambulatory, that is, outside the medical center or hospital, so that once the Holter is in place the patient can carry on with your usual daily activity. During the recording, the sphygmomanometer (cuff) is inflate and deflate programmed to perform different measurements of blood pressure figures, the patient should try to maintain the immobile arm as long as the cuff remains inflated.

The patient will be asked to write down certain circumstances that throughout the day may cause variations in their blood pressure figures, such as the hours they eat different meals, the taking of certain drugs, physical exertion, the time in which the night rest begins, and so on.

The duration of the study varies depending on the reasons why it is carried out but in general the registration is usually carried out for 24-48 hours.

What does it feel like during and after the study?

The holter study of blood pressure it is painless for the patient. During the recording, the sphygmomanometer (cuff) is inflated and deflated in a programmed way, so that the patient can feel the movements of the cuff as well as a slight pressure in the area of ​​the arm around which it is located.

May appear tingling or throbbing sensation in the arm in which the cuff is placed when it remains inflated, in most cases it is a temporary sensation.

Study risks

The study has no risks for the patient. In sensitive skin irritation may appear (contact dermatitis) or a small superficial bruise in the area over which the cuff is placed.

Study contraindications

There are no contraindications to conduct the study. The patient should inform his doctor if he is undergoing any type of treatment, especially if it is for the heart or for the control of blood pressure figures.

What is the study done for?

The 24-hour Holter study of blood pressure is a safe and relatively simple diagnostic test that is widely used.used in the field of Cardiology. It is used for the study of patients who are suspected of suffering (abnormally high levels of blood pressure) that could not be confirmed in the.

Allows you to make a monitoring of hypertensive patients difficult to control and assess the response to different antihypertensive treatments or its possible modifications. It allows the identification of sudden drops in blood pressure in patients with, for example, recurrent syncope.