Explanation of ABPM plots

Plot of hypotension: this elderly patient has been over-treated, and has symptomatic episodes of hypotension during the day.

Back to Elderly People

[Home] [Introduction] [Procedure] [Obtaining a blood pressure profile] [Equipment]
[Blood pressure measurement in special circumstances] [Conclusions] [Credits]

Explanation of ABPM plots

Each of the ABPM profiles in this package is laid out as follows:

• X axis: time (24 h)
• Y axis: blood pressure (mm Hg)
• The yellow line adjacent to the Y axis represents the clinic blood pressure obtained for that patient.
• The horizontal grey bars represent the accepted normal limits for systolic and diastolic blood pressure obtained by ABPM, including the nocturnal dip.
• The vertical bars on the left of the profile represent the "white coat" window, when the effect of medical staff on blood pressure may still be evident.
• The darker vertical band of shading represents night time.

Back to top

© BHS 1999