Medical Questions » Blood Pressure Questions » Question No. 147
| Question: | My blood pressure varies a lot. Some doctors wrap the blood pressure cuff firmly around my arm, and others do it loosely. Does it make any difference? |
| Answer: | It is correct to wrap the blood pressure cuff as firmly as possible around the arm before inflating it. A loosely wrapped cuff can cause an inaccurate reading.
In larger people, a larger cuff is also necessary, as an undersize cuff will give a falsely high reading. The reverse is true for children, when a much smaller cuff is necessary, as a cuff that is too large will give a falsely low reading.
It is also necessary to ensure that the cuff is inflated to a reading at least 20 points above the highest measured pressure to ensure that the top (systolic) pressure is accurately measured. |
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