- Checking both arms could give warning of heart attack and stroke risk
- People with a difference of 10 points are 38% more likely to have one
- A big difference suggests the arteries in one arm are clogged
- In this case, it is likely arteries in the heart and brain are also semi-blocked
By
Emma Innes
05:46 EST, 10 March 2014
|
05:59 EST, 10 March 2014
Researchers are urging doctors to check the blood pressure in both of a person’s arms at the same check up
Researchers are urging doctors to check blood pressure in both of a patient’s arms during the same check-up.
This is because they have discovered that a big difference between the two readings can be an early indicator of heart disease.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital say checking blood pressure in both arms could give an early warning that a patient is at risk of a heart attack or a stroke, the Harvard Health Blog reports.
The researchers measured the blood pressure of almost 3,400 people.
All of the patients were 40 or older and all had their blood pressure measured in both arms – none had any signs of heart disease.
The scientists discovered that the average difference between arms was about five points in systolic blood pressure – this is the blood pressure in the arteries when the blood is being pumped away from the heart.
However, ten per cent of the volunteers had a difference of 10 points or more between their arms.
The researchers followed the participants for 13 years and discovered that during this period, people who had initially had a systolic blood pressure difference of at least ten points between their arms were 38 per cent more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke.
The researchers say it is normal to have slight differences between the blood pressure readings in each arm.
However, they explained that a big difference suggests the artery supplying the arm with higher blood pressure is clogged.
This clogging is an early sign of artery disease and, if the arteries in the arm are clogged, it is likely that those in the heart and brain are also partially blocked.
As a result, a stroke or heart attack is more likely.
A big difference between the blood pressure readings in each of a person’s arms could be a sign they are at increased risk of a heart attack or a stroke
‘Our study suggests that a baseline blood pressure measurement in both arms by primary care clinicians may provide additional information about cardiovascular risk prediction,’ study co-author Dr Christopher O’Donnell, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, told the Harvard Health Blog.
It is not yet clear whether early intervention can help prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients with big blood pressure differences between arms.
However, knowing they are at greater risk could give people the motivation they need to improve their lifestyles in ways that might reduce their blood pressure.
For example, giving up smoking, exercising, losing weight and eating a healthy diet can all improve blood pressure.
Reducing stress levels and alcohol consumption can also have the same effect.
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tiger tiger,
forest, United Kingdom,
49 minutes ago
How would knowing (or rather: believing, given how inaccurate BP readings can be) they are at greater risk reduce people’s stress levels? Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy…
blue bayou,
bayou state,
1 hour ago
There is no reason for you to expect your doctor or nurse to use anything less than perfect technique when measuring your blood pressure. If you see your doctor making any mistakes or not following proper procedure, you should ask why.
Blood pressure should also be taken with the patient seated comfortably with the part of the arm where the blood pressure cuff is fastened resting upon a support at heart level.
Proper positioning is vital in obtaining accurate blood pressure readings.
IdioSyncrasy,
London, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
Why is only now becoming newsworthy? my GP has been doing this for at least 5 years advising patients who do their own to do the same.
Behind the curve “or whatâ€
Im,
Cambridge, United Kingdom,
3 hours ago
No use to me, machines can’t read my BP accurately as I have an a-rythmic heart. I can take 3 entirely different readings from the same arm in 5 minutes. My doctor uses an old fashioned Sphig to get it right!
George W,
London,
3 hours ago
I had my bi annual check last Friday. First reading 151/77. One minute later 120/77.For those who don’t know, a reading of 110/70 is perfect but most likely found in athletes. Most of us will be in the 130/90 range but it will vary minute by minute and day by day.
sruoypU,
Mars, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
177/83 L —- 169/87 R ….. is that bad ?
2 of 3 replies
Kath,
Sudbury Canada,
2 hours ago
Gloria,
Switzerland,
moments ago
wriggle,
The magic far away tree,
5 hours ago
This has been known for years but try getting your Dr to do it! No chance!
Kath,
Sudbury Canada,
2 hours ago
mrslaw,
West Sussex,
5 hours ago
scaremongering
SmikeyJ77,
Derby,
7 hours ago
So, a difference of 10 points in which of the two blood pressure figures, – the diastolic or the systolic ( maybe the latter ) ?
Roy,
Birmingham, United Kingdom,
3 hours ago
Mr Clean,
Glasgow, United Kingdom,
7 hours ago
Worth a wee look, just in case…
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