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The correct cuff size can assistance people who monitor their blood pressure from home. Siro Rodenas Cortes/Getty Images
  • Researchers written report that an incorrect cuff size on blood pressure monitoring devices tin provide inaccurate readings.
  • This can event in unnecessary medication prescriptions as well every bit lack of treatment.
  • The issue can affect people who go their blood pressure checked at a doc's office besides every bit someone who takes their own readings at abode.

If you think one-size-fits-all doesn't work very well in wear, scientists desire you to know that it doesn't work when it comes to your blood pressure readings.

They say a wrong cuff size could get you a false reading.

That means your doctor might prescribe also much or also lilliputian medication for you. It could also mean your high claret pressure level goes untreated.

That's the preliminary conclusion of a new study released March i during the American Heart Association's Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Wellness Conference 2022 in Chicago.

The information could be important for millions of people, particularly those who take their blood pressure readings at home.

A 2017 report found that nearly one-half of adults in the United States take loftier blood pressure (hypertension). That'due south divers by the top or systolic number being 130 mm Hg or greater and the diastolic or bottom number being 80 mm Hg or higher.

In add-on, in 2019, more half a million deaths in the United States had hypertension as a primary or contributing crusade.

The authors of the new study say what's unlike most their findings is that researchers used automatic blood pressure measuring devices, the kind you often find in your doctor'due south office, or you may be using at home.

"Information technology has even more than implications for people who want to do blood pressure level monitoring at home. Blood pressure level devices you buy at a chemist's shop or online come with 1 cuff size. And many people don't realize how important it is to become a gage size that's the right size for your arm," said Dr. Tammy McLoughlin Brady, vice chair for clinical research in the Department of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland as well as the medical managing director of the Pediatric Hypertension Program at the Johns Hopkins Children'south Center.

"If yous need an extra-large cuff, you lot would demand to find select devices because they don't come with an extra-big cuff, or you accept to pay almost twice the amount to get an extra-big cuff to fit your arm," Brady told Healthline.

The study researchers analyzed blood pressure level readings of 165 adults in Baltimore. In a unmarried setting, they compared the boilerplate of 3 readings using a regular adult-sized cuff versus the readings from a cuff accordingly sized for their arms.

They constitute that the individuals who needed an actress-large gage had a reading of 143/86 when a regular-sized gage was used. That reading falls in the range of the diagnosis of stage two hypertension.

However, with an appropriately sized cuff, that reading averaged 124/79, which is in the standard range.

"In our report, the overestimation of blood pressure due to using a cuff that is too small misclassified 39 percent of participants as existence hypertensive," Brady said. "While the underestimation of blood force per unit area due to using a gage that is too large missed 22 pct of participants with hypertension."

The American Heart Association recommends using a tape measure around the bicep at mid-arm to become the right measurements.

Then compare those numbers against their chart to discover what size gage you should be using.

Brady also says the device you're using should have been tested and approved for accuracy. You can check for a list of those devices at https://world wide web.validatebp.org/ or https://world wide web.stridebp.org/.

There are as well steps yous need to follow before and while you are measuring your claret force per unit area.

Here are x tips to go a more authentic reading:

  • Use the right size cuff.
  • Don't put the cuff over your article of clothing.
  • Relax for iii to 5 minutes before taking your reading.
  • Sit in a comfortable chair. Don't dangle your feet, be sure to uncross your legs, and make certain your dorsum and arm are supported.
  • Endeavor non to be tense or stressed.
  • Don't talk during your reading.
  • Don't smoke for at to the lowest degree xxx minutes earlier.
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine for at least 30 minutes before.
  • Don't sit in a cold room. Existence in the cold could increase your blood pressure reading.
  • Go to the bathroom before. A full bladder increases your blood pressure.

Brady says the findings assistance physicians, too.

A medico might start a patient diagnosed with phase 2 hypertension on ii blood pressure medications. So getting the correct readings is key.

"I recall this is super-important for providers who have a big population of patients with comorbid obesity because they are the ones who are going to be near impacted by incorrect measurement," she said.

"I hope this brings nigh awareness about how important this is," she added. "And I promise patients experience empowered to ask their providers, 'Is this the correct cuff for me?'"

Dr. Anna Svatikova, an assistant professor of medicine in preventive cardiology at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, calls the inquiry important.

"This study brings public awareness of the importance of claret pressure cuff size when measuring blood pressure at habitation, in the healthcare setting, or in public kiosks," she told Healthline.

"Hypertension is a major risk factor for development of heart disease and stroke. It is the leading cause of death globally," she added.