A New Way of Measuring Blood Pressure

That old conventional way of measuring one’s blood pressure may experience a (universal) change due to a relatively new find in research. Rather than simply measuring one arm for blood pressure, a new study suggests that measuring both arms should now be standard procedure as the inconsistent measurements in the two may lead to a diagnosis of an otherwise “clinically silent” disorder. Evidence discovered by the researchers show that differences in both arms correlate with increased risks of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, with the inconsistent measurements in each arm, the risk of one experiencing a cardiovascular death is increased by 70 per cent – and the risk of death by any cause is increased by 60 per cent (1).

This is important information not only for physicians, but for patients’ very own knowledge. Some physicians may not hear or read about this new find, and so a patient, upon learning about this study, should inform his/her physician of the new method, as it could save one’s life.

THE RESEARCH

The study was led by Dr. Christopher E. Clark of the University of Exeter in the UK. It is a detailed review of 28 blood pressure studies, and was published by The Lancet on Sunday (29-01-12) (1).

WHAT IS PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is considered to be the most common disease of the arteries. The vessels are essentially clogged with “fatty materials” which cause the arteries to harden, narrow and weaken over time. This condition may even eventually affect the heart, which is then known as coronary heart (or artery) disease (2).

WHAT IS CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE?

Similar to PVD, but affects the blood supply to the brain (1).

Visit the sources below for more information on the study, the new method of measuring blood pressure, and of the two diseases.


References

(1)  http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20120129/measuring-blood-pressure-in-both-arms-could-save-lives-study-120129/

(2)  http://www.emedicinehealth.com/peripheral_vascular_disease/article_em.htm