Plot of normal 24 h ambulatory blood pressure profile. The line on the left represents clinic blood pressure recorded by conventional sphygmomanometry.

Explanation of ABPM plots

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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.

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