Blood pressure monitoring
The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (commonly called MAPA) is a device for automated blood pressure measurement repeatedly during 24 h.
The MAPA consists of an inflatable cuff connected to a manometer by a hose which is connected with a miniaturized system of electronic data storage .
2. Which are the indications? 
The MAPA can differentiate permanent hypertension and hypertension secondary related to stress (white coat effect)
The MAPA also helps to classify hypertension and to assess the severity of hypertension (eg absence of lower numbers during sleep is a poor criterion).
MAPA also allows to assess the effectiveness of an anti-hypertensive treatment.
3. How is the test done?
The cuff is placed on the patient's arm of the patient, the block pump-gauge-digital storage, as a small package, being slung.
It is set to take blood pressure several times per hour on the day (two to three times perhour as a rule) and less often at night (once per hour).
The measurements are analyzed by a cardiologist.