Introduction
Sending patients home with blood pressure recorders in position is common practice in a hospital. It gives a much better idea of what is happening with your blood pressure during your day-to-day activity, than when recording it during a visit to the doctor at the hospital.
Please bring a list of your medication including dosage with you.
The Test
You will come to the department on the day of the test and will check in at reception and be shown where to wait. The Physiologist will introduce herself to you and take you into the room where the test is to be performed. She will ask you to take all your clothing off above the waist, excluding any underwear and to sit. She will place a cuff around your arm and attach it to the recorder. The recorder works automatically and will take your blood pressure in the same way as the doctor does, by tightening the cuff and slowly releasing it. It will do this every 30 minutes during the day and every hour at night.
You may be given a diary card. You should record any symptoms you have, the time you had them (including whether it is am or pm) and what you were doing at the tame you had the symptoms. This is helpful when playing through the recording to compare your symptoms with what your blood pressure is actually doing.
You will also be asked to record when you go to bed, when you get up and what medication you are taking and when.
You will then be told you can go home. The initial visit takes approximately 15 minutes, and you must return at 09:00 / 13:00 the following day to have the recorder removed, a visit lasting approximately five minutes.
For those patients who come by ambulance it may be possible for the ambulance driver to pick up the recorder from your home so that you do not have to come in yourself. If you would like this to happen, either yourself or a relative must remove the recorder and the Physiologist will explain how this should be done.
Should you have any worries about the procedure the Physiologist will be only too pleased to discuss them with you.
After The Test
The recording will be played through and a report sent to the doctor who requested the test.
Complications
There are no known risks with this investigation. However, some people do not like the feeling of the cuff tightening on their arm. This is nothing to worry about but if it becomes a problem, please contact the department for advice.
Cancellations
We have many patients waiting for these examinations. If you cannot keep your appointment it is very important that you let us know, so that another person can be offered that slot. Please phone us on 0161 746 2352. We try our best to make your stay as short and as comfortable as possible.
IMPORTANT
IF YOU ARE BOOKING TRANSPORT WITH YOUR GP, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BOOK IT FOR THE DAY AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT AS WELL SO THAT YOU CAN RETURN THE MONITOR.
Comments
We are always trying to improve the service to our patients. If you have any comments or suggestions at any time during your visit, or after you have left the department we will be delighted to discuss them with you.
Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust has a no smoking policy
How to get there
The hospital is situated on Moorside Road in Davyhulme.
Parking is available at the front of the hospital, and is free of charge for 3 hours. You may find it more convenient to use the parking at the rear of the hospital, by driving via Moorside Road , past the staff car park barrier to the car park at Pathology. You may also use the pick up and drop off point at the endoscopy unit on the right as you go past the staff car park barrier. You will find the department first on the left as you enter the main hospital through this door. Please note: vehicles found illegally parked within the hospital ground are wheel clamped and are subject to a release fee.
Several buses serve the hospital. For up to date information on bus routes serving the hospital contact Greater Manchester Transport Executive on 0161 228 7811.
CARDIO-RESPIRATORY
INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
24 HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE RECORDING