Got high blood pressure? Your doctor may just be using the wrong sized cuff

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-08-08 01:00

International

Using the wrong sized cuff to measure your blood pressure can result in "strikingly inaccurate measurements", according to US research. The study found using a cuff that was too small could push people's systolic blood pressure (the first or top number of a blood pressure measurement) up by as much as 19.5 mmHg. And using a cuff that was too small could also result in inaccurate readings, pushing people's systolic blood pressure readings down by 3.6 mmHg. The authors say a renewed emphasis on selecting the right size of blood pressure cuff is warranted, particularly in people with larger arms.

Media release

From: JAMA

Effects of Cuff Size on the Accuracy of Blood Pressure Readings

There Is No 1-Size-Fits-All to Blood Pressure Measurement—Cuff Size Matters

About The Study: Using a regular blood pressure (BP) cuff size for all individuals regardless of arm size resulted in strikingly inaccurate BP readings with an automated device in this randomized crossover trial including 195 adults. This is particularly concerning for settings where one regular BP cuff size is routinely used in all individuals, regardless of arm size. A renewed emphasis on individualized BP cuff selection is warranted.

Authors: Tammy M. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3264)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Internal Medicine

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

Funder: This study was supported by Resolve to Save Lives. Resolve to Save Lives is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gates Philanthropy Partners, which is funded with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation.

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