Blood Pressure Difference In Arms

The most common reason is a small difference in blood pressure readings in each arm is normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Blood pressure difference in arms. Better roll up both sleeves. Blocked arteries in your arms peripheral artery disease cognitive decline. A large difference in systolic blood pressure between arms defined as 10 mm hg may be a sign of increased cardiovascular disease and even the threat of death. It s actually quite normal.

A blood pressure difference of 10 to 15 points or more between arms also boosted the chances of having a stroke or dying from cardiovascular disease. May be diagnostically useful but needs further evaluation as a prognostic marker a difference in blood pressure readings between arms can be seen in congenital heart disease aortic dissection peripheral vascular disease and unilateral neuromuscular abnormalities. It s not uncommon to have different blood pressure readings less than 10 mm hg. Typically when you get your blood pressure taken you only stick out one arm.

Different blood pressure readings in the right and left arms that vary by a few points aren t anything to worry about. Differences between bp measurements in each arm could signal serious heart issues. Why does blood pressure differ between arms. 30 2012 differences in blood pressure readings taken from the left and right arms may be a sign of heart and blood vessel disease and death risk according to a new review of recent research.

Reasons why blood pressure can be different in each arm a small difference is normal. In younger people a blood pressure difference between arms can happen when a muscle squeezes the blood vessel artery that supplies the arm. Researchers at harvard affiliated massachusetts general hospital and colleagues measured blood pressure in both arms in nearly 3 400 men and women age 40 or older with no signs of heart disease. The average arm to arm difference was about 5 points in systolic blood pressure the first number in a blood pressure reading.

The difference in blood pressure was also associated with a 70 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 60 percent increased risk of death from any cause the authors added. However a difference of greater than 10 points may indicate trouble. 5 mm hg and 4 mm hg for systolic and diastolic. The risk of having peripheral vascular disease was also increased with a 10 mm hg difference in blood pressure between arms the researchers noted.

If you have a large difference in blood pressure readings between arms talk to your doctor. In the absence of these conditions any discrepancy is small mean difference.