The blood pressure measured on the left and right arms is different. Which one should be used as the standard?

There are several common questions about blood pressure measurement. Let us answer them here.

One arm is higher than 140 mmHg

Less than 140 mmHg on one side

Is it high blood pressure?

This is considered high blood pressure because blood pressure is measured based on high blood pressure.

Generally speaking, the closer to the heart, the higher the pressure. The right brachial artery of the human body comes from the branch of the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left brachial artery comes from the left subclavian artery. Therefore, generally speaking, the blood vessels on the right are thicker and shorter. In addition, most people are right-handed, so their right arms are relatively strong. Most people will show high blood pressure in the right arm, and a small number of people will show high blood pressure in the left arm.

It is normal for the blood pressure on the left and right hands to be different. It is possible for either side to be higher, but the difference is generally between 5 and 10 mmHg. It is recommended to measure both sides for the first time. When the blood pressure on both sides is different, the higher side should be used as the standard. In addition, the higher side should be measured in the future.

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The difference between the blood pressure of the left and right arms is relatively large

More than 10 mmHg

what to do?

If the difference in blood pressure between the two sides exceeds 10 mmHg, especially 20 mmHg, special attention should be paid. There are many reasons for the large difference between the left and right sides. Young people may see congenital malformations, and the most common cause of vascular stenosis caused by upper limb atherosclerosis in middle-aged and elderly people is vascular stenosis caused by atherosclerosis.

If the pressure difference between the two arms is large, then the arm with the lower blood pressure value is likely to have a problem, and you need to go to the hospital for examination. By doing a subclavian artery ultrasound, you can see if there is atherosclerosis or large arteritis, which requires timely treatment.

If you have severe chest pain

There is a large difference in blood pressure between the two arms

Is the situation critical?

If you have severe chest pain and a large difference in blood pressure between your arms, this is very dangerous and is most likely aortic dissection. Due to the rapid onset and high mortality rate of aortic dissection, it is difficult to determine its true incidence. At this time, you must go to the hospital immediately without any delay.

Time is life, and one minute of early treatment may save lives.

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Source: People's Daily Online

Review | Tang Qin, Director of the Science Popularization Department of the Chinese Medical Association, National Health Science Popularization Expert

Editor: Yang Yaping

Proofread by Xu Lailinlin