pressure Holter
What is a Holter monitoring of blood pressure?
The Holter monitoring of blood pressure is a safe and relatively simple diagnostic test. It is used for the study of patients suspected of having high blood pressure.
It allows the recording of blood pressure figures continuously for a certain pre-established period of time. Recording is done through the use of a device known as a Holter monitor consisting of a portable sphygmomanometer (device that measures blood pressure figures) connected to a recorder in which the data obtained is recorded for later análisis.
How is the study done?
The sphygmomanometer (in the form of a cuff) is placed around one of the arms, under the clothes; the small, lightweight recorder is often placed on a belt or inside a pocket.
The study is performed on an outpatient basis, that is, outside the medical center or hospital, so that once the Holter has been placed, the patient can continue with their usual daily activities. During the recording, the sphygmomanometer is inflated and deflated in a programmed way to perform different measurements of the blood pressure figures, the patient must try to keep the arm immobile while the cuff remains inflated.
The patient will be asked to write down certain circumstances that may produce variations in their blood pressure figures throughout the day, such as the times of the different meals, the taking of certain drugs, the performance of physical efforts, the time in which the night rest begins, and so on.
The duration of the study varies depending on the reasons for which it is carried out, but in general the registration is usually done for 24-48 hours.
What do you feel during and after the study?
The study is painless for the patient. During the recording, the sphygmomanometer is inflated and deflated in a programmed way, so the patient can feel the movements of the cuff as well as a slight pressure in the area of the arm around which it is located.
A tingling or throbbing sensation may appear in the arm in which the cuff is placed when the cuff remains inflated, in most cases this is a temporary sensation.
Study risks
The study has no risks for the patient. On sensitive skin, irritation (contact dermatitis) or a small superficial bruise may appear in the area where the cuff is placed.
Study contraindications
There are no contraindications to perform the study. The patient must inform his doctor if he undergoes any type of treatment, especially if it is for the heart or to control blood pressure figures.
What is the study for?
The 24-hour Holter study of blood pressure is a safe and relatively simple diagnostic test widely used in the field of Cardiology. It is used for the study of patients suspected of having arterial hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure figures) that could not be confirmed in the doctor's office.
It allows monitoring of hypertensive patients that are difficult to control and assessing the response to different antihypertensive treatments or their possible modifications. It allows the identification of sudden drops in blood pressure in patients who, for example, present repetitive syncope.
Dr. Cristina Muñoz Gil
Specialist in Family and Community Medicine
Advance Medical Consulting Physician