ABPM
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
ABPM stands for Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a cardiology abbreviation.
Blood pressure readings taken automatically every 15 to 30 minutes over 24 hours by a cuff and portable recorder while the patient goes about normal activities and sleeps. It is the reference method for confirming hypertension and detecting white-coat and masked hypertension.
Example: 24-hour ABPM: daytime average 128/78, nighttime 124/76 with loss of normal dipping.
Usage notes
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends confirming high office readings outside the clinic before diagnosing hypertension, with ABPM as the preferred method. Blood pressure normally falls 10 to 20 percent during sleep, and "non-dippers" have higher cardiovascular risk. Home blood pressure monitoring is a more accessible alternative.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- AAA – Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- ABI – Ankle-brachial index
- ACC – American College of Cardiology
- ACHD – Adult congenital heart disease
- ACS – Acute coronary syndrome
- ADHF – Acute decompensated heart failure
- AED – Automated external defibrillator
- AF – Atrial fibrillation
- AFib – Atrial fibrillation
- AFL – Atrial flutter
- AHA – American Heart Association
- AI – Aortic insufficiency
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.