24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitor (ABPM): Test at Home, Anywhere in the U.S.
A single blood pressure reading in a doctor's office is a snapshot. A 24-hour blood pressure monitor, also called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), checks your blood pressure automatically all day and all night while you live your normal life. ImagineEcho mails the monitor to most U.S. states.
What is ABPM?
ABPM uses a small cuff on your upper arm connected to a pocket-sized recorder. The cuff inflates by itself at set times for 24 hours, including while you sleep. Your readings are then reviewed and interpreted by our medical team, and the results are delivered to you. It is non-invasive, and it is learn-from-your-real-life testing, not a one-time number.
Why not just use a home cuff or the doctor's office?
| Measure | Office reading | Home cuff | 24-hour ABPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of readings | 1 to 3 | A few, when you remember | Dozens over 24 hours |
| Includes sleep | No | No | Yes |
| Affected by "white coat" nerves | Yes | Less | Least |
| Shows daily pattern | No | Limited | Yes |
What ABPM can show that other readings miss
- White coat hypertension. Your pressure is high at the doctor's office but normal in daily life. This can help you avoid treatment you may not need.
- Masked hypertension. Your pressure looks normal at the office but is high the rest of the day. This is easy to miss without ambulatory monitoring.
- Nighttime blood pressure. Blood pressure normally drops during sleep. When it does not drop enough, or rises, this is linked to higher heart and stroke risk.
- Whether your medicine is working. ABPM shows how your blood pressure behaves across the full day, including early morning and overnight.
Who may benefit
- People with a high office reading who want to confirm it before starting medicine
- People whose home and office readings do not match
- People already on blood pressure medicine whose numbers are hard to control
- People with sleep apnea, diabetes or kidney disease
- People with symptoms such as headaches or dizziness, without a clear cause
- Anyone who wants a full-day picture before talking with their doctor
What the numbers mean
Your report summarizes your average readings for daytime, nighttime and the full 24 hours. Commonly used targets for adults are roughly:
| Period | Typical goal (average) |
|---|---|
| Daytime | Below about 130/80 mmHg |
| Nighttime | Below about 110/65 mmHg |
| Full 24 hours | Below about 125/75 mmHg |
Your blood pressure should also drop by roughly 10 to 20 percent at night. Your doctor decides what your own targets should be based on your health. Do not change your medicine on your own because of a number.
How it works with ImagineEcho
- Book online. Choose the 24-hour blood pressure test and book directly. No referral is needed.
- We send the monitor. It is mailed to your home in most U.S. states.
- Wear it for 24 hours. Go about your normal day and sleep with it on.
- Send it back. Return the device as instructed.
- Get your results. Our medical team reviews your readings and your results are delivered to you.
An honest note
ABPM is a test, not a treatment. It gives you and your doctor better information, but it does not diagnose the cause of high blood pressure. Wearing the cuff can be a little uncomfortable, and it will be noticeable when it inflates, including at night. If your results show high readings, share the report with your doctor.
More heart tests
If you want a closer look at your arteries or heart, see our guide to carotid ultrasound or our other exams.
When to get care right away
Chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, confusion, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking can be signs of an emergency. Call 911. Do not wait for a test.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor's referral?
You can book your test directly online.
Will insurance cover it?
This is a self-pay test. HSA and FSA funds are accepted.
Where do you ship the monitor?
We mail 24-hour blood pressure monitors to most U.S. states. Contact us if you are not sure we serve your state.
Can I sleep with it on?
Yes. The monitor is designed to be worn for the full 24 hours, including during sleep.
Who reads my results?
Your readings are reviewed and interpreted by our medical team, and your results are delivered to you.