24-hour blood pressure measurement, also known as long-term blood pressure measurement, is an important examination method for continuously recording blood pressure over a whole day and night. It provides detailed information about blood pressure trends and helps to diagnose and control high blood pressure (hypertension) or other blood pressure changes.

During this examination, a portable measuring device is placed on the patient, which is connected to a cuff on the upper arm. The device measures blood pressure at regular intervals, usually every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and every 30 to 60 minutes at night. The data is saved and then evaluated by a doctor.

24-hour blood pressure measurement is particularly useful to:

• Determine differences between daytime and nighttime blood pressure (e.g. lack of a drop in blood pressure at night).
• Evaluate high blood pressure under everyday conditions.
• to check the success of antihypertensive therapy.
• to rule out so-called “white coat hypertension”, in which blood pressure is elevated in the doctor’s office but is normal at home.

The examination is painless and low-risk. During the measurements, the patient can largely continue with his or her normal daily routine, but should make sure to keep the arm still during the measurement.

Overall, 24-hour blood pressure measurement offers a precise and reliable way to monitor blood pressure over the long term in order to detect cardiovascular diseases at an early stage and treat them in a targeted manner.