Different Blood Pressure In Arms
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.
Different blood pressure in arms. There is a normal variation in inter arm blood pressure or the pressure between right and left arms. 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. 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. A large difference in blood pressure measurement between your arms may be a sign of a health problem such as.
Usually it is less than 10 mmhg and according to the american heart association you should talk to your doctor if the difference is consistently greater 1 this could be an indicator of an underlying condition such as coronary artery disease cad the narrowing of arteries supplying blood to. 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. Blocked arteries in your arms peripheral artery disease cognitive decline. That is because when blood pressure is higher in one arm it may be because of narrowing in a blood vessel called artery in that arm.
5 mm hg and 4 mm hg for systolic and diastolic. A blood pressure difference of a few points between arms isn t usually a cause for concern and is quite normal. The average arm to arm difference was about 5 points in systolic blood pressure the first number in a blood pressure reading. The arteries under the collarbone supply blood to the arms legs and brain.
The most common reason is a small difference in blood pressure readings in each arm is normal and nothing to be concerned about. 29 healthday news people whose systolic blood pressure the upper number in their reading is different in their left and right arms may be suffering from a vascular disease that could increase their risk of death british researchers report. However a difference of greater than 10 points may indicate trouble. In younger people a blood pressure difference between arms can happen when a muscle squeezes the blood vessel artery that supplies the arm.
It s not uncommon to have different blood pressure readings less than 10 mm hg. In the absence of these conditions any discrepancy is small mean difference. Reasons why blood pressure can be different in each arm a small difference is normal. Different blood pressure readings in the right and left arms that vary by a few points aren t anything to worry about.
Why does blood pressure differ between arms. By steven reinberg healthday reporter.