What causes inaccurate blood pressure readings?
Acute meal ingestion, caffeine or nicotine use can all negatively affect BP readings, leading to errors in measurement accuracy. If the patient has a full bladder, that can lead to an error in systolic BP of between 4 mm Hg and 33 mm Hg, compared with the white-coat effect can have an error of up to 26 mm Hg.
Do blood pressure readings vary?
Blood pressure varies throughout the day, and readings are often a little higher in the morning. Also, your blood pressure might be slightly lower at home than in a medical office, typically by about five points. Contact your doctor if you have any unusual or persistent increases in your blood pressure.
Why is the left arm better for blood pressure?
Researchers found that a difference of 15 points or more in the readings between the left and right arms raised the risk of peripheral vascular disease, a narrowing or blockage of the arteries, by two-and-a-half times.
Why does my blood pressure read different on each arm?
A significant difference in the pressure recorded in the right and left arms can signal circulatory problems that may lead to stroke, peripheral artery disease, or other cardiovascular problems. British researchers looked at the results of 20 studies in which blood pressure was measured in both arms.
Which arm is more accurate for blood pressure?
(It’s best to take your blood pressure from your left arm if you are right-handed. However, you can use the other arm if you have been told to do so by your healthcare provider.) Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. (Your left arm should rest comfortably at heart level.)
Can high diastolic pressure cause pain?
That chronic pain can actually increase a person’s blood pressure. Although the mechanism involved is extremely complex it can be distilled down to this: chronic pain relentlessly stimulates that nerves responsible for regulating blood pressure, causing it to rise.
What is the risk of high diastolic blood pressure?
In the latest study, cardiovascular risks rose with each “unit increase” in systolic pressure above 140, by about 18% on average. Meanwhile, each increase in diastolic blood pressure above 90 was tied to a 6% increase in heart disease and stroke risk.