Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
1. What the Service Includes
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a diagnostic service that measures your blood pressure automatically over a 24-hour period while you go about your normal daily activities and sleep. A small, portable monitor is fitted to your arm and takes regular readings throughout the day and night. These readings provide a detailed profile of how your blood pressure changes over time, helping to give a more accurate picture than a single reading taken in a clinic.
2. Who Can Use This Service
This service is suitable for individuals who: Have been advised to monitor their blood pressure more closely Have previously recorded high blood pressure readings in a clinic Need confirmation of a possible high blood pressure diagnosis Are currently taking medication for blood pressure and require monitoring Want a comprehensive assessment of their blood pressure pattern over 24 hours
3. Why People Choose ABPM at a Pharmacy
Provides more accurate and detailed blood pressure data than single readings Helps identify conditions such as “white coat” hypertension or masked hypertension Convenient and professional service without needing to attend multiple appointments Fast results that can be shared with your healthcare professional if needed Carried out by trained pharmacy staff in a comfortable and accessible setting
4. How the Process Works
A trained member of the pharmacy team fits the monitor to your arm. You wear the monitor for approximately 24 hours during normal daily activities and sleep. The device records blood pressure readings at regular intervals. You return the monitor to the pharmacy the next day for analysis. A detailed report of your blood pressure readings is provided. This service helps provide a clearer understanding of your blood pressure and supports better decisions about your health and treatment if required.
5. This service is currently only available via GP referal.
The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. The consultation service enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.