An accurate blood pressure reading can spell the difference between saving your life and exposing yourself to a heart risk. Latest study shows that taking blood pressure readings on both arms is a must as a variance in blood pressure reading in both arms denotes a severe heart risk.
Twice More Likely To Suffer Heart Disease
Daily Mail reported that a study conducted by the University of Exeter involving 3,000 healthy people between the ages 50 and 70 showed that a difference in the blood pressure reading in both arms indicate a severe heart risk. Those who showed five points variation in blood pressure readings were two times more likely to suffer from a heart disease.
News Max said that this difference is indicative of plaque clogging the artery. The clogged portion is the side that has a higher reading. This plaque indicates a higher risk for you to suffer from both a stroke and heart attack.
Dealing With Time Pressure
According to the experts, despite the guidelines that recommend blood pressure reading on both arms, doctors and nurses who are pressured with a little time often test on one arm only. Although the resulting heart risk will not happen overnight, a patient who knows he's at risk will help him seek treatment at the earliest.
"Guidelines state that blood pressure should be measured in both arms when assessing patients for hypertension," said Dr. Chris Clark, a general practitioner at Exeter University Medical School. "But often this advice is not followed due to time constraints or lack of awareness."
He further emphasized the need to test the two arms simultaneously. This will help avoid those natural blood pressure fluctuations.
It's quite understandable now why doctors recommend blood pressure reading on both arms. Being aware of the risk will help doctors give the proper advice to patients so that they would also be given time to create lifestyle changes they need to reduce their risk.
