blood pressure

[aussiegirl02]

Is there a preferrence as to which arm is use to measure bloodpressure

[LivingInHope]

You might check out this link:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17325301

[supineallthetime]

Just to be clear... is there any anatomical difference in the way the heart feeds out into each arm?  Is it totally symmetrical in the way arteries split out and veins come back?

[AireScottie]

When you take it on one arm immediately followed by the other, is the difference in readings 5-10 mm HG, or more like 20-30?  5-10 difference is totally normal, but if one arm reads 20-30 more than the other, have your doctor or nurse check both arms.  This can mean you have a problem with your heart or blood vessels.

[LivingInHope]

I believe the reason the home monitors tell you to use your left are is because the majority of people are right handed, so it is for simplicity of use that they suggest that.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/deca/cima/moops/rec14c.pdf  
excerpt:

"3.3 Application of Blood Pressure Cuff
O Place the appropriate cuff around the upper right arm so that:
! The midpoint of the length of the bladder lies over the brachial artery, and
! The mid-height of the cuff is at heart level.
O Place the lower edge of the cuff, with its tubing connections, about 1 inch above
the natural crease across the inner aspect of the elbow.
O Wrap the cuff snugly about the arm, with the palm of the participant's hand turned
upward.
O Secure the wrapped cuff firmly by applying pressure to the locking fabric fastener
over the area where it is applied to the cuff.
O Do not wrap the cuff too tightly around the arm."

[supineallthetime]

At doc visits nurses have used either of my arms, though for some reason they will sometimes insist on a particular one... like if I offer up my right arm they'll say "no let's use your left".  No idea why!

My home BP monitor says to use the left specifically.  I don't know why except perhaps they decided when writing the manual that it would be better to instruct people as directly and simply as possible, rather than having to say "pick an arm and stick to it" they can just say "use left only".

I'm just speculating... maybe one arm has more direct route from/to the heart than the other?

[aussiegirl02]

Thanks for showing an interest in my question , I asked because of the variation in readings between both arms after trying it on 4 different people. I take my BP every day so needed to know if it mattered , I usually use my left arm and my monitor is an Omron, maybe I should have it checked to make sure its working correctly as all 4 readings varied considerably .

[LivingInHope]

I read before on a U.S. government website that the right arm should be used.  Prior to that, I know the rule of thumb was pick one arm and stick with it, so you can get a straight track record always using the same arm.

[AireScottie]

I've had it taken numerous times on both arms when seeing the doctor.  If you find that the readings between your arms vary greatly when taken near the same time, then that is a problem, and you should tell your doctor.  I can't tell you exactly how much they can vary and still be normal.  Maybe someone else here will know that.

[Weney3777]

Someone else might want to confirm this, but I believe it does not matter. If you notice that you get a better reading on a certain arm, then use that one. Some people have a BP that is so low, thay can't even get a reading. Switching arms in this case would be beneficial.

When I was in the hospital, they actually had to take my BP on my leg!