Phone-Based Intervention under Nurse Guidance after Stroke (PINGS II) Study: Protocol for a Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region now has the highest estimated effect size of hypertension for stroke causation worldwide. An urgent priority for countries in SSA is to develop and test self-management interventions to control hypertension among those at highest risk of adverse outcomes. Thus the overall objective of the Phone-based Intervention under Nurse Guidance after Stroke II study (PINGS-2) is to deploy a hybrid study design to assess the efficacy of a theoretical-model-based, mHealth technology-centered, nurse-led, multi-level integrated approach to improve longer term blood pressure (BP) control among stroke survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A phase III randomized controlled trial involving 500 recent stroke survivors to be enrolled across 10 Ghanaian hospitals. Using a computer-generated sequence, patients will be randomly assigned 1:1 into the intervention or usual care arms. The intervention comprises of (i) home BP monitoring at least once weekly with nurse navigation for high domiciliary BP readings; (2) medication reminders using mobile phone alerts and (3) education on hypertension and stroke delivered once weekly via audio messages in preferred local dialects. The intervention will last for 12 months. The control group will receive usual care as determined by local guidelines. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with systolic BP <140 mm Hg at 12 months. Secondary outcomes will include medication adherence, self-management of hypertension, major adverse cardiovascular events, health related quality of life and implementation outcomes. CONCLUSION: An effective PINGS intervention can potentially be scaled up and disseminated across healthcare systems in low-and-middle income countries challenged with resource constraints to reduce poor outcomes among stroke survivors.

The Evaluation of a Regional Faith Community Network's Million Hearts Program.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the Million Hearts initiative is to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Maryland was one state in the Association of State and Territorial Health Official's Million Hearts State Learning Collaborative. Washington County, Maryland formed a collaboration between the County Health Department, Meritus Health System, and the Meritus Health Parish Nurse Coordinator to address hypertension in the county. PROGRAM PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION: Within a regional network of 52 faith communities, the Parish Nurse Coordinator recruited 25 faith community nurses to participate in a three-month program. Nurses were trained on proper blood pressure measurement and 22 nurses identified 58 participants engaged in blood pressure self-monitoring and coaching for lifestyle changes. Additionally, nurses took 1,729 blood pressures and provided health education to individuals within their congregations. PROGRAM EVALUATION: Fifty-one participants participated in blood pressure self-monitoring and lifestyle coaching with faith community nurses. There was improvement in six out of seven lifestyle areas. Eight-two percent of participants (N = 42) decreased their systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure over three months. CONCLUSION: Coaching provided by faith community nurses can create an environment of sustained support to promote improved lifestyle and blood pressure changes over time.

Home blood pressure monitoring in hypertensive stroke patients: a prospective cohort study following a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We found little data on long-term home blood pressure monitoring in stroke patients. OBJECTIVES: After completing a 12-month trial of home monitoring in hypertensive stroke patients, we investigated the following: 1. The proportion of 118 control patients offered a monitor at the end of the trial without nurse support who used it at least monthly after 6 months. 2. The proportion of 119 intervention patients continuing to use their monitor monthly after 18 months. 3. Possible predictors of monitoring weekly in the first month after receiving a monitor: age, gender, ethnicity, cognition, anxiety, disability, ability to monitor blood pressure unaided and smoking. METHODS: Participants (mean age 71, 34% with disability and 21% from ethnic minorities) were surveyed 1 and/or 6 months after the trial ended by postal and/or telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 237 potential participants, 53 (22%) declined, 16 (6%) were lost and 9 (4%) died during follow-up. Overall, reported monthly use of the monitor without nurse support was 47% [54/114, 95% confidence interval (CI) 38.2-56.5] at 6 months and 50% (57/114, 95% CI 40.8-59.2) at 18 months. Participants who monitored weekly after 1 month were more likely than the remainder to have no disability [Rankin score ≤ 1; relative risk (RR) 1.2; 95% CI 1.0-1.5] and low anxiety levels (FEAR score = 0; RR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.0). CONCLUSION: Around half of hypertensive stroke patients offered a blood pressure monitor but no support continued to use it after 6 and 18 months. Monitoring in the first month was common in those who were not anxious or disabled.

Home blood pressure monitoring with nurse-led telephone support among patients with hypertension and a history of stroke: a community-based randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adequate control of blood pressure reduces the risk of recurrent stroke. We conducted a randomized controlled study to determine whether home blood pressure monitoring with nurse-led telephone support would reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension and a history of stroke. METHODS: We recruited 381 participants (mean age 72 years) from outpatient and inpatient stroke clinics between Mar. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2009. Nearly half (45%, 170) of the participants had some disability due to stroke. Participants were visited at home for a baseline assessment and randomly allocated to home blood pressure monitoring (n = 187) or usual care (n = 194). Those in the intervention group were given a monitor, brief training and telephone support. Participants who had home blood pressure readings consistently over target (target < 130/80 mm Hg) were advised to consult their family physician. The main outcome measure was a fall in systolic blood pressure after 12 months, measured by an independent researcher unaware of group allocation. RESULTS: Despite more patients in the intervention group than in the control group having changes to antihypertensive treatment during the trial period (60.1% [98/163] v. 47.6% [78/164], p = 0.02), the fall in systolic blood pressure from baseline did not differ significantly between the groups (adjusted mean difference 0.3 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval -3.6 to 4.2 mm Hg). Subgroup analysis showed significant interaction with disability due to stroke (p = 0.03 at 6 months) and baseline blood pressure (p = 0.03 at 12 months). INTERPRETATION: Overall, home monitoring did not improve blood pressure control in patients with hypertension and a history of stroke. It was associated with a fall in systolic pressure in patients who had uncontrolled blood pressure at baseline and those without disability due to stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT00514800.

Stroke patients' perceptions of home blood pressure monitoring: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the UK. Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for stroke. There is increasing interest n home blood pressure monitors for self-monitoring, but no published research on the experiences of stroke patients who do self-monitor. AIM: To explore stroke patients' experiences of self-monitoring with nurse-led support. DESIGN AND SETTING: A qualitative study of 26 (66%) patients from the first 39 participants to complete the intervention arm of a community-based randomised controlled trial (RCT) of home blood pressure monitoring in 381 patients recruited from hospital stroke clinics in south London. METHOD: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 26 patients. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed, and a thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. RESULTS: Participants were highly motivated to avoid a further stroke and developed a strong focus on blood pressure control and attaining a 'good result'. Only a minority reported anxiety about their blood pressure. Participants gained a welcome sense of empowerment and control over managing their health; some felt confident and 'experimented' with their medication doses. Eight patients required physical help to self-monitor and there was uncertainty about where responsibility lay for such help. Patients who lived alone and were functionally impaired had the least positive experience. Active engagement with the home blood pressure monitoring process by GPs was variable. CONCLUSION: Patients in this study generally reported increased knowledge and empowerment about blood pressure control and avoiding further strokes. The technique is overall welcome, acceptable, and successful, even in patients with disabilities. Since home blood pressure monitoring can also lead to improved blood pressure control, this simple, pragmatic intervention might be more widely used.

[Home blood pressure monitoring: updates and the nurse's role]. / Monitorização residencial da pressão arterial: atualidades e papel do enfermeiro.

This is a review article on home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) developed with the purpose to increase the current scientific knowledge and present the importance of this approach in the care to patients with hypertension in our setting. This technique has advantages over the causal measurement, as it provides more measurements, a better relationship with the target-organs injuries, it also quantifies the white-coat effect, has good reproducibility, good acceptability by the patients, assesses blood pressure without the influence from the observer and the environment of the appointment, reduces the number of visits to the doctor and promotes greater adherence to treatment. The importance of nursing practice in HBPM is associated with the education process, using teaching-learning strategies, implementing team-patient communication and encouraging patients towards performing self-care.

Monitorização residencial da pressão arterial: atualidades e papel do enfermeiro / Home blood pressure monitoring: updates and the nurse's role / Monitorización domiciliaria de la presión arterial: actualidades y papel del enfermero

Trata-se de um artigo de revisão sobre o assunto monitorização residencial da pressão arterial (MRPA) com o objetivo de agregar a contribuição científica atual e apresentar a relevância desta abordagem na assistência ao paciente hipertenso em nosso meio. A técnica oferece vantagens em relação à medida casual, pois proporciona um maior número de medidas, melhor relação com lesão de órgãos-alvo, quantifica o efeito do avental branco, possui boa reprodutibilidade, boa aceitabilidade pelos pacientes, proporciona avaliação da pressão sem a influência do observador e do ambiente do consultório, diminui o número de visitas ao consultório e promove maior adesão ao tratamento. A importância da atuação do profissional enfermeiro na MRPA está ligada ao processo de educação, utilizando estratégias de ensino-aprendizagem, implementando a comunicação equipe-paciente e motivando o paciente a realizar o autocuidado.

This is a review article on home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) developed with the purpose to increase the current scientific knowledge and present the importance of this approach in the care to patients with hypertension in our setting. This technique has advantages over the causal measurement, as it provides more measurements, a better relationship with the target-organs injuries, it also quantifies the white-coat effect, has good reproducibility, good acceptability by the patients, assesses blood pressure without the influence from the observer and the environment of the appointment, reduces the number of visits to the doctor and promotes greater adherence to treatment. The importance of nursing practice in HBPM is associated with the education process, using teaching-learning strategies, implementing team-patient communication and encouraging patients towards performing self-care.

Se trata de un artículo de revisión sobre el tema de monitorización domiciliaria de la presión arterial (MRPA) con el objetivo de sumar la contribución científica actual y presentar la relevancia de este abordaje en la atención al paciente hipertenso en nuestro medio. La técnica ofrece ventajas en relación a la medida casual, pues proporciona un mayor número de medidas, mejor relación con lesión de órganos-blanco, cuantifica el efecto del delantal blanco, posee buena reproductibilidad, buena aceptación por los pacientes, proporciona evaluación de la presión sin la influencia del observador y del ambiente de consultorio, disminuye el número de visitas al consultorio y promueve mayor adhesión al tratamiento. La importancia de la actuación del personal de enfermería en la MRPA está ligada al proceso de educación, utilizando estrategias de enseñanza-aprendizaje, implementando la comunicación equipo-paciente y motivando al paciente para que realice su autocuidado.

Microalbuminura, arritmia ventricular y trastornos disautonomicos de la presion arterail en diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Microalbuminura, ventricular arrhythmias and dysautonomic disorders of the blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus / Microalbuminúria, arritmia ventricular e transtornos disautonômicos da pressão arterial no diabetes mellitus tipo 2

Introducción: La diabetes tipo 2 presenta manifestaciones disautonomicas precoces que son causa de arritmias y muertes súbita. Objetivos: Evaluar la associatión entre la presencvia de micro albuminuria y manifestaciones de disautonomia tales como arritmias ventriculares tipo II de Lown y alteraciones de la presurometria (estado non-dipper) en diabéticos tipo 2 (DBT2). Material y Métodos: En un estudio observacional, transversal, se incorporaron Se incorporaron 21 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 (edad media 51.7 + 9.2 años, 35,0 por cento sexo masculino) y 120 controles (edad media 30.2 + 11.1 años; 35.5 por cento sexo masculino). A todos ellos se los estudio con examen clínico, exámenes de laboratrorio, ECG, monitoreo ambulatorio de la pressión arterial, Holter y dosaje de microalbuminuria. Resultados: En los diabéticos, el estado non-dipper fue significativamente más frecuente cuando se compara con no diabéticos (p<0.001); también la presencia...

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes presents early dysautonomic manifestations that are the cause of arrhythmias and sudden death. Objective: The paper evaluates the association betweenmicroalbuminuria and the manifestations of dsyautonomia such as, ventricular arrhythmias (Lown’sclassification II) and the alterations of the pressurometry (non-dipper state) in type 2 diabetes (DBT2). Materials and Methods: In an observational and transverse study, 121 patients were incorporated with type 2 diabetes (average age 51.7 + 9.2 years, 35.0% male) and 120 control patients (average age 30.2 + 11.1 years; 35.5% male). All of them were studied with a clinical study, laboratory tests, ECG,ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, Holter and a dose of microalbuminuria. Results: In the diabetic patients, the “non-dipper” state was significantly more frequent when compared with the non-diabetic patients (p<0.001) as was also the presence of arrhythmias and microalbuminuria (p<0.001 in bothcases). The presence of microalbuminuria was registered with more frequency in non-dipper patients(49% dipper vs. 57% non-dipper) p<0.001; at the same time the proportion of ventricular arrhythmiawas greater in the non-dipper patients (5.8% vs. 48.5%) p<0.001. In the multivariate logistic regressionanalysis, the presence of arrhythmia was significantly associated with the non-dipper state (OR: 5.81; IC95% 2.07-16.3; p<0.001) and with the age (OR: 1.07 per year; IC95%: 1.02-1.11; p<0.003), but not with the presence of diabetes. Discussion: The autonomic denervation of the heart, first parasympathetic and then sympathetic is a complication of diabetes in which the neuropathy would be the origin of the silent ischemia and would predict an increased risk in the delicacy and cardiovascular mortality. Usingnew diagnostic tools earlier in the detection would facilitate for a more adequate treatment.

Introdução: O diabetes tipo 2 apresenta manifestações disautonômicas precoces que são causa de arritmias e morte súbita. Objetivos: Avaliar a associação entre a presença de microalbuminúria e manifestações de disautonomia, tais como arritmias ventriculares tipo II de Lown e alterações da pressurometria (estado non-dipper) em diabéticos tipo 2 (DBT2). Material e Métodos: Em um estudo observacional, transversal, 121 pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 foram incluídos (idade média 51,7 + 9,2anos, 35.0% sexo masculino) e 120 controles (idade média 30,2 + 11,1 anos, 35,5% sexo masculino). Todos eles foram estudados por meio de exame clínico, exames de laboratório, ECG, monitoração ambulatorial da pressão arterial, Holter e dosagem de microalbuminúria. Resultados: Nos diabéticos, o estado non-dipper foi significativamente mais frequente quando comparado com não diabéticos(p<0,001); também a presença de arritmias e de microalbuminúria foi mais frequente (p<0,001 em ambos os casos). A presença de microalbuminúria foi registrada com mais frequência em pacientes non-dipper (49% dipper vs. 57% non-dipper), p<0,001; do mesmo modo, a proporção de arritmiaventricular foi maior em non-dipper (5,8% vs. 48,5%), p<0,001. Na análise multivariada por regressão logística, a presença de arritmia se associou significativamente ao estado non-dipper (OR: 5,81; IC95% 2,07-16,3; p<0,001) e à idade (OR: 1,07 por ano; IC95%: 1,02-1,11; p<0,003), mas não à presença de diabetes. Discussão: A denervação autonômica do coração, primeiro parassimpática e depoissimpática, é uma complicação do diabetes na qual a neuropatia seria a origem da isquemia silente e prediria um risco aumentado da morbidez e mortalidade cardiovascular. Novas ferramentas diagnósticas utilizadas precocemente facilitarão um tratamento adequado.

Disease management to promote blood pressure control among African Americans.

African Americans have a higher prevalence of hypertension and poorer cardiovascular and renal outcomes than white Americans. The objective of this study was to determine whether a telephonic nurse disease management (DM) program designed for African Americans is more effective than a home monitoring program alone to increase blood pressure (BP) control among African Americans enrolled in a national health plan. A prospective randomized controlled study (March 2006-December 2007) was conducted, with 12 months of follow-up on each subject. A total of 5932 health plan members were randomly selected from the population of self-identified African Americans, age 23 and older, in health maintenance organization plans, with hypertension; 954 accepted, 638 completed initial assessment, and 485 completed follow-up assessment. The intervention consisted of telephonic nurse DM (intervention group) including educational materials, lifestyle and diet counseling, and home BP monitor vs. home BP monitor alone (control group). Measurements included proportion with BP < 120/80, mean systolic BP, mean diastolic BP, and frequency of BP self-monitoring. Results revealed that systolic BP was lower in the intervention group (adjusted means 123.6 vs. 126.7 mm Hg, P = 0.03); there was no difference for diastolic BP. The intervention group was 50% more likely to have BP in control (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.997-2.27, P = 0.052) and 46% more likely to monitor BP at least weekly (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-2.00, P = 0.02) than the control group. A nurse DM program tailored for African Americans was effective at decreasing systolic BP and increasing the frequency of self-monitoring of BP to a greater extent than home monitoring alone. Recruitment and program completion rates could be improved for maximal impact.

Arterial pressure-based stroke volume and functional hemodynamic monitoring.

Arterial pressure-based methods are less-invasive methods used to measure stroke volume and to predict fluid responsiveness. An understanding of the assumptions of the measurements and clinical factors that affect their accuracy and ability to predict fluid responsiveness is imperative when deciding when and how to use these new technologies. Frequently asked questions about these technologies and the data provided are addressed.

Improving blood pressure control in hypertensive hemodialysis patients.

Hypertension is very prevalent among patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to determine if home blood pressure (BP) monitoring could improve BP control in a sample of 34 outpatient hemodialysis patients. Seventeen participants were randomized to a home BP monitor intervention (HBPM) plus usual care group and the other 17 participants were randomized to usual care only. Average weekly BPs and fluid gains were monitored for both groups over 12 weeks. The results indicated that HBPM significantly lowered SBP (p = .018) in the HBPM group compared to the usual care group. No significant differences were found between groups in terms of DBP or fluid gains. These findings indicate that HBPM could help improve BP control in the hemodialysis population. Nephrology nurses can be instrumental in helping hemodialysis patients monitor their BP and providing education on interventions that may improve BP control.

Constructing and testing a self-help intervention program for high blood pressure control in Korean American seniors--a pilot study.

Although significant progress has been made in the reduction of overall cardiovascular risk factors in the United States during the last decade, controlling high blood pressure (HBP) remains a difficult task for many individuals. In particular, socially disadvantaged groups, such as new immigrants, and ethnic minority groups, such as Korean Americans, continue to struggle with this chronic disease and suffer unnecessary complications. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to test the efficacy of a self-help intervention program for HBP control in first-generation Korean American seniors with HBP. The intervention consisted of 3 concurrently administered components: (1) structured behavioral education on HBP management, (2) home blood pressure (BP) monitoring, and (3) monthly support groups facilitated by a bilingual nurse. Of the 49 Korean American seniors (> or =60 years old) who agreed to participate, 31 received the intervention and completed the follow-up interviews at 6 months. Final analysis of BP outcomes using repeated measures and postintervention data suggested that the self-help intervention was effective in significantly improving the proportion of individuals who achieved BP control (<140/90 mm Hg) and in lowering both systolic and diastolic BP in the sample. Specifically, the BP control rate, which was 29% at baseline, increased at 6 months to 69%. Likewise, the mean systolic and diastolic BP values of 142.7 and 87.1 mm Hg at baseline decreased to 129.3 and 75.3 mm Hg, respectively, after 6 months of follow-up. This improvement of the HBP control rate in the sample highlights the clinical efficacy of the self-help intervention for this traditionally underserved immigrant group.

Blood pressure measurement.

Blood pressure measurement is the basis for the diagnosis, management, treatment, epidemiology and research of hypertension and the decisions affecting these aspects of hypertension will be influenced by the accuracy of measurement. Although blood pressure measurement is one of the most common clinical techniques, there are some factors affecting it, such as blood pressure variability or blood pressure measuring devices. Blood pressure can be measured in different ways: Clinic blood pressure measurement is taken in physician's office. The accurate measurement of blood pressure in clinical practice is dependent on the individual, the equipment used and the observer; this is the most common when considering therapeutic decisions. Self blood pressure measurement provides us with values on different days, in settings as close to daily life conditions as possible, having no white-coat effect. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement. With this method, using devices that permit the automatic monitoring of blood pressure in a patients normal life, health professionals are able to have blood pressure values over 24 hours, as well as the possibility of average blood pressure values over a requested period, such as the day or the night.

Limited (6-h) ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a valid replacement for the office blood pressure by trained nurse clinician in the diagnosis of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring as a valid replacement for office blood pressure measurement done to American Heart Association criteria in diagnosing hypertension. METHODS: In all, 105 adults, who had been referred for limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, participated in the study. Limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring consisted of 6 h of blood pressure measurement while ambulatory at the Mayo Clinic, using a SpaceLabs 90207 (SpaceLabs Medical, Issaquah, Washington, USA) collecting six readings per hour for the period of observation. The study participants gave consent for three additional consecutive office blood pressure measurements, using a validated aneroid device, done to American Heart Association criteria, by a single hypertension nurse specialist. RESULTS: Mean systolic blood pressure by limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was 137.9+/-14.2 mmHg and for the nurse, 137.9+/-20.1 mmHg. Mean diastolic blood pressure by limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was 81.5+/-9.7 mmHg and for the nurse, 74.3+/-11.9 mmHg. The intermethod difference for systolic blood pressure was 0.03+/-12.5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure, -7.2+/-8.0 mmHg. Using <140/90 as criteria factor, limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the trained nurse agreed 77% of the time on whether the patient was hypertensive. This agreement increased to 81% if the participant's referral blood pressure was >or=140/90. CONCLUSIONS: Limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is an excellent replacement for office blood pressure, done to American Heart Association criteria, in diagnosing hypertension. This avoids issues of variability introduced by the observers, such as digit preference and bias, and increases reproducibility of blood pressure measurements. The appropriate normal value for limited ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is <140/90 mmHg compared with <135/85 mmHg used in 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders occur in 6% to 8% of all pregnancies, are the second leading cause of maternal death, and contribute to significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. This is a problem not only in inpatient settings, as ambulatory and home-care nurses are increasingly being called upon to monitor women who are at high risk and may have hypertensive disorders. To prevent hypertension-induced problems in pregnant women, nurses must have strong assessment, advocacy, and counseling skills. Nurses also must provide care based on the latest national standards as described in this article.

Cuidados ao paciente que será submetido a monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial: uma breve revisão de literatura / Care of patients to be submit to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring - a brief review

A Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial (MAPA) é um método de diagnóstico com monitorização contínua, por medições automáticas, programadas e sequenciais durante 24 horas. Esta revisão de literatura objetiva relatar as intervenções de enfermagem, com o intuito de minimizar a influência de possíveis problemas que o exame acarreta. A atenção de enfermagem ao indivíduo que necessita fazer uso da MAPA deve concentrar-se na orientação do paciente quanto aos aspectos relacionados ao seu dia acompanhado do gravador. O enfermeiro que desenvolve atividades junto a esses pacientes pode ampliar sua atuação realizando treinamento dos técnicos que operacionalizam o método. Deve-se atentar para a importância da orientação para minimizar temores do paciente e de sua família, pois sua realização pode ser motivo de ansiedade.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: measurement implications for research.

Although blood pressure (BP) is a frequently used variable in nursing studies, measurements are likely to be inaccurate for a variety of reasons: incorrect technique, operator error, and environmental factors. Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) reduces measurement error, is relatively easy to use, and yields many more BP parameters than do clinic BP measurements. The cost of equipment for ABPM ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 per monitor and from $2,000 to $3,000 for computer software. A research assistant can easily be trained to follow a standardized procedure. Researchers have used ABPM to study normal BP patterns, complications of hypertension, effects of antihypertensive drugs, and the prognosis of cardiovascular events. This article provides the nurse researcher with an introduction to this technology and an overview of information gained from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.