Does it matter where we measure blood pressure?

Does it matter where we measure blood pressure?

Although blood pressure measured at the brachial artery plays a central role in our understanding and management of cardiovascular risk, in recent years great emphasis has been placed on the importance of central blood pressure.

Where is the most accurate place to take blood pressure?

Digital monitors that are fitted on the upper arm are generally the most accurate. If you can’t find a cuff big enough for your upper arm or if you find blood pressure measurements painful, ask your doctor about fitting a cuff to your lower arm or wrist.

Can blood pressure be measured incorrectly?

Most blood pressure reading errors are the result of improper sizing of the blood pressure cuff or placing the cuff over clothing. Improper placement of the cuff over clothing can cause your blood pressure measurement to increase by 10 to 50 points.

Is blood pressure the same everywhere?

For decades now, physicians have largely assumed there’s little difference in non-invasive blood pressure measurements taken at different points on a person’s body. No matter where you cuff it, on the upper arm, wrist or thigh, the readings will lie in the same ball park.

What is the correct way to measure blood pressure?

During the measurement, sit in a chair with your feet on the floor and your arm supported so your elbow is at about heart level. The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80\% of your upper arm, and the cuff should be placed on bare skin, not over a shirt. Don’t talk during the measurement.

Are blood pressure readings accurate?

But home blood pressure monitors aren’t always as accurate as they should be. “Home blood pressure monitors may be inaccurate in 5\% to 15\% of patients, depending on the threshold for accuracy used,” according to Dr. Swapnil Hiremath, a kidney specialist at Ottawa Hospital in Canada.

Can BP readings be different in each arm?

Generally, a small difference in blood pressure readings between arms isn’t a health concern. However, a difference of more than 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for either your top number (systolic pressure) or bottom number (diastolic) may be a sign of blocked arteries in the arms, diabetes or other health problem.

How accurate is measuring blood pressure?

Measuring a person’s blood pressure has been a mainstay of medical treatment for over a century, but the way we currently go about it is not always accurate or consistent. We make a lot of assumptions, after all, that one reading at one site can tell us what’s going on throughout the whole body.

Are blood pressure readings different at different locations on the body?

For decades now, physicians have largely assumed there’s little difference in non-invasive blood pressure measurements taken at different points on a person’s body. No matter where you cuff it, on the upper arm, wrist or thigh, the readings will lie in the same ball park.

Is it better to measure blood pressure in both arms?

It’s also a good idea to have your blood pressure measured in both arms at least once, since the reading in one arm (usually the right) may be higher than that in the left. A 2014 study in The American Journal of Medicine of nearly 3,400 people found average arm- to-arm differences in systolic blood pressure of about 5 points.

How many times can a doctor check your blood pressure?

Instead, he or she will want to confirm the measurements on at least two occasions, usually within a few weeks of one another. The exception to this rule is if you have a blood pressure reading of 180/110 mm Hg or higher. A result this high usually calls for prompt treatment.