Non-invasive 24-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has been developed over the past two decades and offers considerable advantages over conventional clinical blood pressure monitoring.

The primary advantages offered by monitoring over a 24-hour period are multiple readings over a specified time period rather than a one-time measurement and avoidance of possible errors associated with conventional measurements.

Twenty-four hour monitoring plays an important role in diagnosing and treating patients with borderline hypertension. Many patients have normal ambulatory readings. It is estimated that approximately 20% of those diagnosed with hypertension by conventional office blood pressure readings were "white coat hypertensive." These patients can avoid being diagnosed with hypertension and can avoid the associated costs that go with it.

In addition, the use of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can provide information regarding the selection of an appropriate blood pressure medication.

The Creighton Cardiac Center provides computerized ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

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