What is a blood pressure Holter?
The blood pressure Holter (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over 24 hours) is a method in which blood pressure is measured automatically at regular intervals throughout the day and night, while the patient carries out their usual activities. Unlike a single reading in the office, this exam provides dozens of readings and shows how the pressure changes in real conditions.
The device consists of a small cuff on the upper arm connected to a unit that you wear around the waist. On its own, at set intervals (most often every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and somewhat less often at night), the device inflates the cuff, measures the pressure and records the value, without any participation on your part.
This is exactly why the blood pressure Holter is more reliable than a single reading: it detects spikes in pressure during exertion and stress, tracks values during the night and reveals so-called 'white-coat hypertension' — when the pressure is elevated only in the office but is otherwise normal. It also detects hidden, masked high blood pressure that appears normal in the office.
At Medical Time, fitting the blood pressure Holter and interpreting the findings is done by an experienced team, with modern devices and precise software, so that you get an accurate assessment of your blood pressure and a clear recommendation on further treatment.
When is a blood pressure Holter performed? Indications
The blood pressure Holter is recommended when high blood pressure needs to be reliably confirmed or ruled out, as well as when the effectiveness of blood pressure therapy throughout the whole day needs to be checked. A single reading in the office is often not enough for an accurate decision.
The most common indications for which the exam is scheduled are:
As a general rule, when pressure values are borderline, variable or out of step with the complaints, the blood pressure Holter provides an answer that a single reading cannot — because it shows the pressure throughout the whole day and night.
- suspected high blood pressure (hypertension) that needs to be confirmed
- borderline or variable pressure values when measured in the office
- suspected 'white-coat hypertension' — elevated only during the exam
- suspected hidden (masked) high blood pressure that appears normal in the office
- assessing whether blood pressure therapy works well throughout the whole day and night
- headaches, dizziness or weakness related to blood pressure
- monitoring nighttime pressure values and morning surges
- monitoring blood pressure in pregnancy and in kidney disease, on the doctor's recommendation
Preparing for a blood pressure Holter
No special preparation is needed for a blood pressure Holter — you do not need to be fasting and you continue your usual daily activities. You take your regular therapy as prescribed, unless the doctor explicitly says otherwise, because often the very aim is to see how the pressure looks with therapy.
For the readings to be accurate, it is important for the day with the Holter to be as close as possible to your usual day. There is no need to rest or avoid exertion — on the contrary, the device should record the pressure in your real conditions of life and work.
What it is good to keep in mind on the day of fitting:
- wear a short-sleeved shirt or clothing with a wide sleeve, so that the cuff sits easily on the upper arm
- shower before arriving, because you do not shower with the device fitted while you wear it
- bring a list of the medications you take and earlier pressure values if you record them
- plan a usual day — the pressure should be measured in real conditions
- tell the staff if you have previously had a problem with measurement on a particular arm
How a blood pressure Holter is fitted and worn
Fitting is short and painless. The staff place a cuff on your upper arm and connect it to a small device that you carry in a pouch around the waist or over the shoulder. From that moment the device on its own, at set intervals, inflates the cuff, measures the pressure and records the value, and you go home and continue your usual day.
Each time the device starts a measurement, the cuff briefly inflates, just as with a classic blood pressure reading. It is important that at that moment, if you are moving, you briefly stop and relax your arm down at your side, so that the measurement is accurate.
With the device you also receive a short diary, in which you write down important activities, the time you take medications, the time you go to bed and get up, as well as any complaints. This way the cardiologist can later connect the pressure values with what you were doing or feeling at that moment.
The device is worn for 24 hours, and measurements continue during the night while you sleep. The next day you return so that the staff can remove the cuff and take back the device, after which the analysis begins.
- when the device starts a measurement, stop and relax your arm down at your side
- in the diary write down the time you take medications, sleep and every complaint
- do not remove or move the cuff from the upper arm
- do not wet the device — postpone showering until you remove it
When you get the findings and interpretation
After the device is removed, all the readings recorded over the 24 hours are transferred to a computer, where software calculates the average values during the day, at night and throughout the whole day. The cardiologist then reviews the findings, compares them with your diary and assesses how the pressure behaves in real conditions.
The findings show the average day and night pressure, the highest and lowest values, as well as whether the pressure drops properly at night — which is an important indicator of heart and blood vessel health. Based on this the cardiologist gives a conclusion: whether the pressure is indeed elevated, whether the therapy works well and what to do next.
You receive the findings with interpretation shortly after the device is removed, and all recordings are stored digitally for comparison with later measurements. If needed, we immediately schedule further cardiology exams in the same place.
Why have your blood pressure Holter at Medical Time
An accurate diagnosis of high blood pressure changes therapy for a lifetime, so reliable measurement is extremely important. At Medical Time the findings are interpreted by an experienced cardiologist, with modern devices and precise software, so that you get a clear conclusion and recommendation without unnecessary guessing.
Everything you might need after a blood pressure Holter — a cardiology exam, an echocardiogram, laboratory tests or therapy monitoring — is available in one place, with a quick appointment and a warm approach.
- painless fitting and a comfortable device that does not interfere with daily activities
- modern devices and precise software for analyzing the measurements
- the findings are interpreted by an experienced cardiologist, with clear recommendations
- assessment of day and night values and morning surges in pressure
- quick scheduling without waiting and findings in a short time
- everything in one place — cardiology, echocardiography and laboratory
- digital storage of measurements for tracking therapy over time
Cost — Blood pressure Holter
The cost of a blood pressure Holter depends on the length of monitoring and on whether it is done together with a cardiology exam or additional diagnostics. You receive the exact price and an appointment quickly, by phone or through the contact form.
- Blood pressure Holter — 24-hour monitoring
- Blood pressure Holter with a cardiology exam
- Blood pressure Holter with a Holter ECG
For the current price and an appointment call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about the blood pressure Holter
No. Fitting is painless, and the measurement feels the same as a classic blood pressure reading — the cuff briefly inflates on the upper arm. There are no needles or discomfort, and you wear the device through your usual activities.
Most often 24 hours, with measurements also during the night while you sleep. This gives a complete picture of the pressure during the day, exertion, rest and sleep.
Yes, you take your regular therapy as prescribed, unless the doctor explicitly says otherwise, because often the very aim is to check how the pressure looks with therapy.
If you are moving, briefly stop and relax your arm down at your side while the cuff inflates, so that the measurement is accurate. At rest, simply stay relaxed.
No. While you wear the blood pressure Holter you do not shower and you avoid wetting the device. That is why it is best to shower before the device is fitted.
Because it provides dozens of readings throughout the whole day and night, in real conditions. This way it detects surges, nighttime values, 'white-coat hypertension' and hidden high blood pressure that a single reading in the office cannot show.
You receive the findings with the cardiologist's interpretation shortly after the device is removed. All data is stored digitally for comparison with later measurements.