24-hour Blood Pressure Monitoring

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is indeed quite prevalent in Hong Kong. Poor dietary habits, inadequate rest and sleep, and lack of exercise are all contributing factors to high blood pressure. Usually, hypertension does not present obvious symptoms, making it easily overlooked by many people in Hong Kong and becoming a common chronic condition. However, high blood pressure can lead to various diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and can even damage the health of organs like the eyes and kidneys.

To effectively control blood pressure and maintain it within a normal range, regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial. Adopting methods such as 24-hour blood pressure monitoring allows for more accurate blood pressure measurements, enabling appropriate treatment and management strategies to be implemented.

24-hour blood pressure monitoring, as the name suggests, involves recording a patient’s blood pressure over a 24-hour period. Doctors can determine whether a patient has hypertension (high blood pressure) and assess the effectiveness of blood pressure control after medication based on these records.

From many situations and cases, it is evident that patients have normal blood pressure at home. However, when they visit the clinic for examination or treatment, they may experience anxiety, leading to significantly higher blood pressure readings, a phenomenon known as white coat syndrome. Due to this difference, doctors sometimes struggle to determine whether the patient’s blood pressure is genuinely controlled or if they truly have high blood pressure.

24-hour blood pressure monitoring helps doctors address the issue of inconsistent blood pressure measurements. The device used for 24-hour blood pressure monitoring appears similar to a regular electronic blood pressure monitor and is convenient to carry. When the patient goes to sleep at night, this device records their blood pressure every hour, providing doctors with comprehensive and accurate blood pressure data. This allows them to assess the patient’s blood pressure after medication, determine if the patient truly has high blood pressure or white coat syndrome, and make appropriate treatment arrangements.

For individuals with noticeable symptoms of heart disease, such as dizziness, palpitations, easy fatigue, and increased heart rate, undergoing 24-hour blood pressure monitoring can provide insights into the relationship between their blood pressure and heart rate during daily activities. This allows doctors to understand which activities and lifestyle habits may trigger the onset of symptoms. By evaluating these symptoms, doctors can assess whether they are related to high blood pressure or other factors.