Right arm blood pressure vs Left arm (heart, elbow, ears)
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Is it a normal thing to have approx 20 points difference between left arm (116/86) and right arm(136/84) ?
I can see how your left arm is nearer your heart so that might make a difference but I would have thought they should be the same - roughly, shouldn't they?
They should be roughly the same. The arm with the lower pressure may have an arterial blockage (brachial artery, I believe). If you are taking these readings yourself, it may be something about your technique.
Is it a normal thing to have approx 20 points difference between left arm (116/86) and right arm(136/84) ?
I can see how your left arm is nearer your heart so that might make a difference but I would have thought they should be the same - roughly, shouldn't they?
Roughly, yes. Roughly because no one's arms are identical and every time you put on a cuff you won't do it exactly the same. FWIW, I've been hospitalized a few times over the years. Obviously lots of people were taking my bp constantly. They used both arms interchangeably. The main reasons someone happened to choose one arm over the other was because of where IV catheters or hospital equipment in my room happened to be located. I now have a bp cuff at home. Nothing in the instructions about which arm to use.
They should be roughly the same. The arm with the lower pressure may have an arterial blockage (brachial artery, I believe). If you are taking these readings yourself, it may be something about your technique.
How much is 'roughly the same' ?
Yes, I am taking it myself at home and most days it is the same - different on different arms. What can I get wrong with the technique? Put the cuff on and make sure the pulse piece is at the bottom and over an area at the (inside) elbow which has a pulse.
Yes, I am taking it myself at home and most days it is the same - different on different arms. What can I get wrong with the technique? Put the cuff on and make sure the pulse piece is at the bottom and over an area at the (inside) elbow which has a pulse.
Can't say...roughly is...well, rough.
Here's an idea: I'd suspect one arm is easier for you to manipulate the bp cuff on than the other (being able to use your dominant hand to do it). Your measured bp at that moment could end up being slightly lower. As you wrestle getting the cuff on the right spot on the other arm your bp might go up slightly.
Now you're getting anxious about it which puts the whole procedure under pressure. That affects bp too. Don't overthink this. If you're concerned, ask your MD whether the difference matters.
Actually, I changed the batteries in my bp meter and now they register the same. So, if anyone else gets the same problem, it is worth changing the batteries for new ones to see if the problem goes away.
Thanks for the help folks.
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