Posted on 08/10/2023 8:49:11 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Miscuffing results in inaccurate blood pressure (BP) measurements, according to a study.
Junichi Ishigami, M.D., M.P.H. and colleagues examined the effects of using a regular BP cuff versus an appropriately sized BP cuff on automated BP readings in a randomized crossover trial of community-dwelling adults. A total of 195 adults underwent four sets of triplicate BP measurements, using an appropriate, too-small, or too-large BP cuff in random order, followed by a fourth set with an appropriate BP cuff. The difference in mean BP when measured with a regular BP cuff compared to an appropriate BP cuff was assessed as the primary outcome.
The researchers found that use of a regular BP cuff resulted in a statistically significantly lower BP reading among those requiring a small BP cuff (mean systolic BP difference, −3.6 mm Hg). In contrast, use of a regular BP cuff resulted in a statistically significantly higher BP reading among individuals requiring a large or extra-large cuff (mean systolic BP difference, 4.8 and 19.5 mm Hg, respectively). Among those requiring larger BP cuffs, BP differences with overcuffing and undercuffing by one and two cuff sizes were higher.
"Using a regular BP cuff size for all individuals regardless of arm size resulted in strikingly inaccurate BP readings," the authors write. "A renewed emphasis on individualized BP cuff selection is warranted, particularly in individuals with larger arm sizes."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Another source of inaccuracy is arm position. If arm is low you will get a higher reading. Ideally should be around shoulder level.
I’ve gotten a bit overweight. I can’t count the number of times someone has simply let all the air out of the cuff way too fast to get a reading, and given me a high-pressure reading. I’ll demand a slower, more attentive reading, and by BP will drop from 150/110 to 120/80.
I’ve noticed a big difference between using an automated reader and manual.
I’ve always suspected that a tight cuff gives higher readings
I can swing over 35 points from instantly sitting down, to calmly waiting just two more minutes, with good posture and a few deep breaths, so from 150 to 115.
At the Dr's office, it's up. White coat syndrome, dontcha know. Especially with the automatic machines.
I've noticed the same. It's important to relax a few minutes before checking the blood pressure.
Just because you have a number to 4 decimal places, doesn’t mean it is an accurate number.
Folks, is this really news? Common sense should tell you...................
Sounds like this study may have been funded by the blood pressure cuff industry to sell more cuffs :)
Gotta get the full range of shapes and sizes!
My late wife had a small arm. I always insisted that a child’s cuff be used when her blood pressure was taken.
I take my BP reading each morning (both arms) and usually get acceptable readings but a few times lately got much higher readings--maybe the fault of the cheap BP device I bought. Usually get better readings at the doctor's office or at the Red Cross. When I gave blood yesterday the Red Cross reading was lower than I almost ever get at home.
The other donor was talking about how once some nurse tried to take his BP with a child's cup and got very high readings--he had to explain to her that it was not OK to use the child's cup.
I hate those automatic cuffs. They always get too tight, sometimes painfully so, and I can feel my BP go up before they even put it on. I always ask for it to be taken manually and with a larger cuff as I'm not a skinny gal anymore ;) and the reading is always significantly lower.
The damage that is does is over time, with high numbers more or less perpetual. If you measure okay and then see one bad number, or two, don’t freak. But if you measure twice a day and after 10 days had 70% of measures high, time to talk to the doc.
And old is 60+.
“You’ll have 0/0 blood pressure and you’ll be happy.”
True enough. My BP pills are cheap. BUT I have to keep going to the doctor regularly to keep 'em coming. That's where the expense is.
I have a battery powered, digital read out cuff. How accurate are they?
Most people, including myself, have the same.
They are generally accurate, but it may be best to take it to your doctor and compare against their readings.
If you are not particularly thing or heavy, and the cuff size is the normal size, you are not having the problem this study found.
That’s the reason some nurses put your arm under theirs
, so that it’s at heart level.
People should also keep their feet flat on the ground and not talk.
They must not be as good as some think. If the nurse thinks something isn’t right they get the old fashioned cuffs.
Of course it’s to sell more BP medication...my PCP tells me a ‘normal’ reading 120/80. Yeah...for someone in their 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s, perhaps. She’s an idiot.
Depends on the limb also.............
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