When measuring blood pressure, do you measure the left arm or the right arm?

"Doctor, when you measure blood pressure, do you measure your left arm or right arm? My blood pressure is different every time. I really can't understand it."

Uncle Wang was found to have high blood pressure in the physical examination last month. The doctor told him to pay attention to recuperation at home and monitor his blood pressure by himself. Uncle Wang is very obedient to the doctor's advice. He will measure his blood pressure at home every day, but the measured values are different every time. What is more strange is that the blood pressure values of both arms are different every time.

When Uncle Wang saw that his blood pressure was a little abnormal, he was very worried and very nervous. In this state, he went to take a blood pressure test and found that his blood pressure had soared a lot.

So early the next morning, Uncle Wang hurried to the hospital to consult the doctor. If he did not get sick, he was afraid that he would get sick.

I believe many people have this question: why is the blood pressure measured at home always inaccurate? Why are the values of the left arm and the right arm different? Xiaomiao will answer them one by one.

1、 Why is the blood pressure measured at home always inaccurate?

Many people can't measure their blood pressure at home. Sometimes they even measure some values that are "different from ordinary people". They are scared to go to the hospital to take a blood pressure test, but find nothing after the test.

This is because the blood pressure itself is not a fixed value and will change continuously throughout the day. It is almost impossible to obtain the same blood pressure value. Only when the blood pressure is measured at the same time and in the same posture, it is more likely to get a blood pressure value close to the value.

In addition, some external factors can easily affect the measured value of blood pressure. The American Heart Association published six behaviors that may affect the accuracy of blood pressure on its official website.

The measured blood pressure will be 10-15 mmHg higher than the normal value when the human body is in the state of holding urine;

Incorrect sitting posture can easily affect the normal value of blood pressure. The correct posture should be flat feet and back against the back of the chair;

If you hang your arm in the air during measurement, you may get inaccurate values. Be sure to place your arm flat on the table so that the cuff height is the same as the heart;

Improper cuff size, too small or too tight may lead to deviation of measured blood pressure;

When measuring blood pressure, it needs to be measured with bare hands. If you wear clothes, it may cause abnormal increase of blood pressure;

When measuring blood pressure, talking loudly and laughing will also affect the count.

 

 

2、 When measuring blood pressure, is it the left arm or the right arm?

After knowing some behaviors that may affect blood pressure, let's learn whether we should choose to measure the left arm or the right arm in our life?

The standard given by the authoritative Diagnostic Science in China is to measure the blood pressure of the right arm. Because the right brachial artery is from the branch of the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left brachial artery is from the left subclavian artery, the blood pressure measured in the right arm is theoretically higher than that of the left arm. Therefore, the guide recommends that the blood pressure value of the right arm be used.

However, the European Society of Cardiology has put forward different suggestions. The article suggests that the blood pressure should be measured on both upper limbs for the first time. When the blood pressure values on both sides are different, the higher side should be selected as the fixed arm for future measurement.

Although different guidelines have different recommendations, Dong Fengquan, doctor of Cardiology, General Hospital of Shenzhen University, reminded that the purpose of blood pressure measurement is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and observe whether the blood pressure is too high. No matter which arm is measured, as long as the difference between the two sides is not large, there is generally no need for too much entanglement. Before the measurement, it is more necessary to ensure the stability of the measurement, including being quiet, not drinking strong tea and coffee, and holding urine. In this way, more accurate blood pressure values can be obtained than selecting the arm.

 

 

3、 If you don't understand this knowledge, you may be measuring "false blood pressure"

Don't underestimate the matter of blood pressure measurement. If you don't pay attention to some details, it's difficult to get accurate blood pressure values. Do you pay attention to these details?

1. Put the sphygmomanometer at will during measurement

The position of the sphygmomanometer has a great impact on the measured value of blood pressure. The correct way is to place the sphygmomanometer at the level of the heart, and the legs of the measurer should be flat without crossing.

2. The cuff is tight when taking blood pressure

When wearing the cuff, be careful not to tighten it blindly. The tightness after wearing should be able to enter a finger, rather than the tighter the better. In addition, the arm should not be excessively stretched, and the blood pressure should be measured in a relaxed state.

3. The blood pressure value shall not be rounded

The blood pressure measurement value must be based on the actual situation, and should not be rounded. When measuring blood pressure at home, values ending with "4", "6" and "8" often appear, for example, a blood pressure of 138 / 86 mm Hg. If the rounding is recorded as 140 / 90 mm Hg, this value will be misjudged as hypertension.

4. Measure blood pressure after taking medicine in the morning

In general, it is recommended that hypertensive patients take antihypertensive drugs after the blood pressure is measured in the morning, rather than after taking medicine. This is helpful to monitor the blood pressure value of one day and judge whether the drug can maintain the antihypertensive effect of one day. If hypertensive patients take antihypertensive drugs in the morning and then measure their blood pressure, the drugs have begun to take effect, and the measured blood pressure value cannot truly reflect the control of blood pressure.

4、 Different ages have different blood pressure standards. See if you are normal?

The normal value of blood pressure of different age groups is also different. It is unscientific not to use a unified standard to measure people of all ages. The following figure is the accurate blood pressure comparison value to see if your blood pressure meets the standard.

When measuring blood pressure at home, it is recommended to use the upper arm blood pressure meter, which is more convenient to operate than other types of blood pressure meters; It is best to take a sitting posture when measuring, and then measure after the body is calm.

Be careful not to measure after taking the medicine, as the result is inaccurate; The blood pressure should be measured three times every day, with an interval of 1-2 minutes. The average value of the last two measurements can be taken;

After the blood pressure is measured, it is recommended to record the blood pressure, including the measured value, measurement time and pulse. A clear record will help the doctor judge your specific situation.

I believe many people find it incredible that there is so much knowledge in such a simple action as measuring blood pressure. There must be a correct way to measure blood pressure in life, so as to avoid using an improper way and frightening yourself with inaccurate results. Have you learned how to measure blood pressure?