ABPM Rental Service

24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a test done to record your blood pressure at fixed intervals throughout a 24 hr period while you move around, living your normal everyday life. It uses a small blood pressure machine that is attached to a belt around your body and is connected via a tube to a cuff wrapped around your upper arm. It is small enough not to obstruct normal daily life while you can even sleep with it on.

Why do it?

By measuring blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours, your doctor is able to get a clear picture of how the blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day and night. There are a number of reasons why your doctor might suggest this test:

• To confirm if you do suffer from high blood pressure and how high are the readings over a 24 hr period.
• If your blood pressure readings are always high in doctors clinic/ surgery, your doctor may want to know if blood pressure is actually lower outside the clinic – this is called the “white coat effect”.
• Your doctor may want to see how big are the fluctuations in your blood pressure throughout the 24 hr period.
• To see how well the medicines are working, and to make sure they are controlling your blood pressure throughout the day and night.
• To see if your blood pressure stays high at night. If this is the case, your doctor may want to change or adjust your medicines.

How ABPM is performed?

The ABPM monitor is attached at the patient. A digital monitor is used in the same way as in any clinic, by a cuff which inflates and then slowly deflates. Readings are taken at about every 15-30 minutes throughout the day and every half-hour to one hour at night. The cuff is worn throughout the period, with the machine being kept under the pillow or besides the patient on the bed during sleep. The patient undergoing the measurement must not change the normal routine to enable a more accurate picture of how the blood pressure changes with various phases of daily activity. However, the machine, being electronic, cannot tolerate wet conditions, and therefore swimming, bathing or showering must be avoided for the day.

What do I need to do?

To allow the machine to work properly, it is important to make sure that the tube to the machine is not twisted or bent. Also, just before the machine is about to take a reading, it will alert you. When this happens you should:

• Sit down, if possible
• Keep the cuff at the same level as your heart
• Keep your arm still
• Do not talk or cross your legs during the recording

It is recommended that you do not drive for the duration of your monitoring. Your clinician may ask you to keep a diary whilst wearing the monitor; what time you went bed and got up and if and when you took medications. Some people find 24-hour testing distracting and uncomfortable. Your clinician should advise you of what to do in this case when they fit the monitor.

May I take a bath/shower whilst undergoing monitoring?

Preferably avoid showering or bathing during the period of measurement. If you decide to take a bath or a shower you will need to take off the monitor and cuff as these are not waterproof and you must not get them wet. You need to make sure when reapplying the cuff Page 3 of 3 that it is in the same position as when originally fitted. If you are unsure then ask your nurse for advice.

May I exercise with the monitor on?

We advise patients to avoid going to the gym/ exercising whilst the monitor is attached. A gentle or brisk walk is fine. Will I need to keep a diary whilst having the monitoring done? When we analyse the results, we rely on the information you provide in your diary. Sometimes there may be perfectly good reasons as to why your blood pressure was high, for example, when running for a bus. Each time your blood pressure is recorded, you may be asked to make a note of the time and your activity (walking, sitting, smoking etc). You do not need to do this at night, but you must remember to complete the section on the diary which records when you went to sleep and woke up.

Should I document when I take all my medications?

You may be advised of this by the nurse/ health professional at your appointment. Document the name and dose of the drug and the time it was taken. Also record any symptoms felt during the monitoring (pain, dizziness etc.)

Equipment Rental Terms & Conditions

1.EQUIPMENT.

The Colmed hereby rents the ABPM Machine to the Customer, who must adhere to the terms and conditions within this agreement. On Video call The Colmed will provide training on handling the machine and generating final report.

2.RENTAL PERIOD

The rental period will be for 24 HRS.

3. RENTAL RATE.

The Customer agrees to pay the amount of Rs 1500 to the Colmed as rent for the equipment.

4.ADDITIONAL CHARGES.

Additional charges shall be added in the event the equipment is damaged, missing any parts, or returned later than.

5.CARE AND OPERATION.

The equipment may only be used and operated in a careful and proper manner. Its use must comply with all laws, ordinances, and regulations relating to the possession, use, or maintenance of the equipment.

6.SECURITY DEPOSIT.

In addition to the rental fee, the Customer shall pay a security deposit of Rs 10,000 prior to receiving any equipment. This deposit shall be returned to the Customer upon completion of the Test, subject to the option of the Customer to apply it against any charges or damages incurred.

7.DELIVERY.

The Colmed will be responsible for all expenses and costs: i) at the beginning of the rental period, for the delivery of the equipment from the Colmed premises to the Customer location: and ii) at the end of the rental period, for the delivery of the equipment from the Customer’s location to the Colmed premises.

8.MAINTENANCE, DAMAGE AND LOSS.

The Customer agrees to keep and maintain the equipment clean and in good working order during the rental term at his own expense. In the event any equipment is lost or damaged beyond repair, the Customer shall pay the Colmed the replacement cost of the equipment

9.OWNERSHIP.

The Equipment is and shall remain the exclusive property of the Colmed.

10.INDEMNIFICATION.

Except for damages, claims or losses due to the Customer’s acts or negligence, the Colmed, to the extent permitted by law, will indemnify and hold the Customer and the Customer’s property, free and harmless from any liability for losses, claims, injury to or death of any person, including the Customer, or for damage to property arising from the Customer using and possessing the equipment or from the acts or omissions of any person or persons, including the Customer, using or possessing the Equipment with Colmed’s express or implied consent