A member asked:

How tight does a blood pressure cuff have to be around the arm to properly measure bp at home? can reading be higher/lower in one arm than the other?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Rick Koch answered

Needs to be tight : Enough to stop blood flow & yes there can be slight variation between different arms...Usually <10mmhg.

Answered 8/21/2018

5.1k views

Thank

More of what we treat

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

A member asked:

How tight does a blood pressure cuff have to be around the arm to properly measure bp at home? can reading be higher/lower in one arm than the other?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Rick Koch answered

Related Questions

A member asked:

I got omrom bp742 blood pressure arm cuff machine for 4 years now .readings good at on it but high other machines.should I buy new one ?

A member asked:

When I take my blood pressure at home with my wrist monitor, arm laying flat on a table my BP reading is high. when I do it with elbow on table and hand slightly elevated at heart level it's a normal reading. which one is the right one?

A member asked:

How the size of arm cuff would affect the reading of blood pressure? I have a arm size 8.5 in. If I use the blood pressure monitor with arm cuff range 9-13 ins. How would the readings affect the accuracy? In other words, would the reading be over rated or

A member asked:

I work out and am physically fit with muscular arms. Would i still obtain an accurate blood pressure reading with an arm type monitor cuff?

A member asked:

Cervical radiculopathy..can that affect blood pressure reading in left arm? Blood pressure in left arm is almost always higher than right arm readings. Which arm is used to get correct reading?

Sponsored Content

People also searched for:

Does wrist blood pressure monitors give you higher or lower readings? I'm new on this. I cannot use arm cuff because none fit my arm. my Dr order me to take my BP for a week at home (morning/night)?

I am experiencing arm pain. From below the elbow to the palm. I am having a sensation similar to the one had when checking blood pressure with that tightness. I took aspirin ?

Occasionally get a pain and sense of tightness in left arm. Have occasional high blood pressure. Could this be what Im feeling? Serious?

I have intense jaw tightness, heart pounding, pressure in my nose, and a feeling of blood rushing back down my left arm. Is this a heart attack?

What is the difference between taking ur blood pressure in ur upper left arm and lower left arm and is it higher or lower than the reading?

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?