Is measuring blood pressure on the right arm accurate?

Many people have a habit of only measuring blood pressure on their right arm because they believe this is a more 'accurate' method.

However, according to cardiologists, there is no mandatory rule to measure blood pressure on the right or left arm. The important thing is to use the correct technique and choose the arm with the higher reading for long-term monitoring.

Blood pressure should be measured in both arms for comparison.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the first blood pressure measurement should be taken in both arms for comparison. After that, monitoring should prioritize the arm with the higher reading to more accurately reflect cardiovascular risk.

Measuring blood pressure on the right arm is not wrong, but it's not the only option or the "standard" for everyone.

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If the difference remains at 10 mmHg or more, a cardiovascular check-up is recommended.

Dr. Luke Laffin, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic (USA), says that a slight difference in blood pressure between the two arms is quite common. However, if the difference remains at 10 mmHg or more, the patient should have a cardiovascular check-up as it may be associated with a higher risk of arterial disease or stroke.

Notes when measuring blood pressure

Experts emphasize that the measurement technique is more important than which arm to use. When measuring blood pressure, you should sit and rest for at least 5 minutes, avoid crossing your legs, place your arm at heart level, and avoid talking during the measurement. Additionally, you should not drink coffee, smoke, or engage in strenuous exercise within 30 minutes before the measurement, as this can skew the results, according to the Mayo Clinic .

Dr. Nikhil Agrawal, a cardiologist in India, also emphasized that measuring blood pressure in both arms is a simple but crucial step that can help detect potential vascular abnormalities early. According to him, "blood pressure is rarely exactly the same in both arms."

Therefore, measuring blood pressure on the right arm is not wrong, but it is also not the only or "standard" option for everyone. The most important thing is to measure correctly, monitor regularly, and prioritize the arm with the higher reading for a more accurate assessment of health risks.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/do-huyet-ap-tay-phai-co-dung-chuan-185260517152354344.htm