Blood Pressure Test – ambulatory monitoring

The blood pressure test is provided by the Cardiology Clinic.

What is an ambulatory blood pressure monitor?

It is a portable blood pressure recording device. It is used to record blood pressure readings at specified
times during a 24-hour period. The monitor consists of an arm cuff attached by a flexible rubber tube to a light-weight monitor. The monitor sits in a pouch held by a waist belt or a shoulder strap. At regular intervals, usually every 30 minutes during the day and 60 minutes at night, your blood pressure is measured and recorded while you are going about your everyday activities.

As your blood pressure is being measured at regular intervals over a span of 24 hours, your doctor will be ble to get clear a picture of how your blood pressure changes throughout the day.

How to access our services?

  • You must have a referral from your physician to get an appointment and pass this test.
  • Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover the test. A $40 fee is payable before the monitor is installed.

About The Program

What Happens BEFORE the Test?

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. It is important to let the technologist know if you are a shift worker so that the correct timing of the measurements can be programmed on the monitor. It is important to remember that for the duration of the test, you will not be permitted to bathe or shower. Please consider this before your arrival. The device may not be removed for the duration of the test.

What to bring

  • Valid Health card
  • List of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines

When you arrive

  • Please use the new Main Entrance and register at one of the self-serve kiosks at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Clerks are available to help with the registration process.
  • Upon registering, take a “puck”. It will buzz and light up when your turn comes up and indicates in which room to report.
  • Use the Cardiology door to go to your exam room.

  • It is important that you record briefly in the journal that you have been provided with the occurrence of
    the following:

    • Strenuous or unusual physical or emotional activities or experiences.
    • Symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches that may be associated with your blood pressure.
  • Briefly summarize in the journal your daily activities while wearing monitor.
  • The monitor will inflate every 30 minutes until 10 p.m., and then every 60 minutes until 7 a.m. It will resume taking blood pressure every 30 minutes thereafter.
  • It is important to relax your arm while cuff is inflating.
  • If monitor inflates more than once during cycle, it is due to excessive arm movement, or because it was unable to accurately assess blood pressure. Please keep your arm relaxed and motionless.
  • If the cuff does not deflate, press on the “stop button” located on the monitor. This will abort the procedure. Your blood pressure measure will default recording to the next programmed cycle.
  • Verify the blood pressure cuff periodically to ensure that arrows are aligned and tubing is correctly attached to device.
  • Carry on with your normal routine.
  • Take your medication as usual.
  • The monitor must be worn at all times during the examination to accurately record data. You are not permitted to remove until the time specified by technologist.
  • You will need to return the monitor, pouch, wires and journal to the Hospital at the set date and time.

  • The cardiologist will analyze all the data obtained after the test is completed, and review the results with you. A report will be sent to your doctor within 8 to 10 business days.
  • The technologist will not able to provide you with test results
  • Results will also be available in your electronic medical record. For information on the creation of an account and how to access your electronic medical record, visit MyChart.

Business hours

Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To book an appointment

613-632-1111, option 1, 1
Toll-free 1-800-790-8870, option 1

Fax

613-636-6175

To reach the Cardiology Department

Telephone: 613-632-1111, extension 51201
Fax: 613-636-6178

Address

HGH – Main Campus
1111 Ghislain Street
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 3G5

The Cardiology Clinic is located in Block A, Level 1. View the hospital plan.

Internal resource

External resources

Refer a patient for a blood pressure test at HGH

To refer a patient, download the exam request form, fill it out and fax it to 613-636-6175.

 

Appointment booking line: 1-800-790-8870, extension 82500

 

The Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) provides more than 40 specialized medical clinics for residents of Prescott-Russell and surrounding region. For a list of clinics, departments and services, visit Refer a patient.