Which arm should I use to monitor my blood pressure? Part 1

Many individuals who have high blood pressure wonder which arm they should use for measuring blood pressure. For all consumers, the answer is relatively simple. It makes no difference which arm is used to monitor blood pressure.

One should be aware that there is always a slight difference in blood pressure measurement between the two arms, but this difference is quite small and clinically not important. In any case, individuals who have high blood pressure should monitor their blood pressure from the same arm, using the same device and at the same time on a regular basis. This method of measuring blood pressure is important to ensure that there are no daily fluctuations in the readings.

The majority of blood pressure monitoring devices available today record two numbers, a top (systolic), and a lower number (diastolic). When there is a difference in blood pressure between the two arms, it is usually the top number which will vary.

All individuals will have a small difference in blood pressure between the two arms. The difference may vary from 2-10 mmHg. This difference is small and is considered insignificant. However, when the difference between the two arms is more than 15-20 mmHg on a constant basis, then there is most likely some disease in blood vessels supplying the relevant arm.