Blood Pressure Cuffs - FYI - Important - There are 2 Sizes

Different Ballgame

Found out yesterday when my blood pressure was taken that there are two different size cuffs. Because my arms are larger, the nurse put the larger cuff on my arm. My blood pressure was 116/78. I told her that was the lowest reading for the past few years. She then told me that if you have a larger arm and a normal sized cuff is used on your arm, the reading will not be accurate...it will show a higher blood pressure reading. THEREFORE, if your arms are larger, request that they use the LARGER CUFF for your blood pressure reading. She said that many times the person who takes your blood pressure doesn't take the time to get the proper sized cuff for the larger arm...her words, "They are too lazy to get it."

Now that I have educated you on blood pressure cuffs, it is YOUR responsibility to request the correct size cuff. Do you want your doctor to prescribe blood pressure medication if you don't need it...all because the wrong sized cuff was used for the reading? Have I made my point?

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle

SIROD

Good To Know!
Thanks Janelle. I really never paid a lot of attention to their cuffs. I often hope that it will be done quickly as I do dislike the whole procedure.

With only one arm available and if that arm has an IV in it, they use my foot. I try not to watch.

This is important information for we all have blood pressure taken for every procedure and appointment.

Best,

Doris

Rague

Several sizes
Point is - use the right sized cuff at all times. An 'out of your norm' (be it higher or lower than you usually show) by a machine should be rechecked manually.

I thought everyone knew that the correct cuff had to be used to get accurate readings. Actually, there are more than 2 different cuff sizes - smaller arms have to have smaller cuffs also. All the facilities I go to have both 'average' and larger cuffs on each machine so there is no going hunting for either - they do have to go find the smaller cuff when needed though.

Different Ballgame

Rague said:

Several sizes
Point is - use the right sized cuff at all times. An 'out of your norm' (be it higher or lower than you usually show) by a machine should be rechecked manually.

I thought everyone knew that the correct cuff had to be used to get accurate readings. Actually, there are more than 2 different cuff sizes - smaller arms have to have smaller cuffs also. All the facilities I go to have both 'average' and larger cuffs on each machine so there is no going hunting for either - they do have to go find the smaller cuff when needed though.

I was hoping that there were more than 2 sizes
As smart as I think I am, I continue to learn. How is it that it took 71 years for me to learn that there are more than one size cuff? I wondered that if I did know this information until yesterday, how many others do not know this information.

Thanks for letting us know that there are many more sizes to accommodate many different sized arms.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle

faith_trust_and_a_little_bit_of_chemotherapy

Rague said:

Several sizes
Point is - use the right sized cuff at all times. An 'out of your norm' (be it higher or lower than you usually show) by a machine should be rechecked manually.

I thought everyone knew that the correct cuff had to be used to get accurate readings. Actually, there are more than 2 different cuff sizes - smaller arms have to have smaller cuffs also. All the facilities I go to have both 'average' and larger cuffs on each machine so there is no going hunting for either - they do have to go find the smaller cuff when needed though.

Thigh cuff too
My husband was a body builder and frequently required the use of the thigh cuff.

I located this article and if you can get pass the bit that it's written as pregnancy primer for plus sized mommies-to-be, there's some comprehensive information about 'how to', bulb size, sizing charts about arm diameter/cuff, and even a section on how to deal with obstinate medical personnel. Not that any of us would know what that's like.

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/lgbpcuffs.htm#Why a Large Blood Pressure Cuff Is Needed

As someone who has had the pleasure of watching multiple nurses back away from a sphygmomanometer and begin talking in soft hushed tones, the information is power. It was just nice to give a little elevated BP back to the girls in the pastel uniforms. Not mean, just naughty.

Thanks for this discussion, Janelle.

Gabe N Abby Mom

I always get BP taken on my
I always get BP taken on my leg, and never get a reliable reading. I have started taking my BP at home daily and I use that info to monitor my BP. I also downloaded an app "Heart Pal" for tracking the BP. It graphs and charts the readings so I can get an average over time.

If you take BP at home, I understand that first thing in the am is not the best time. You should get up and move around for a while first. Try and be consistent in the conditions and time of day when you are taking your BP as well.

Best wishes to all of us managing the BP. Thanks for starting this good discussion Janelle.

Hugs,

Linda

fauxma

Janelle,
I always ask for
Janelle,
I always ask for the big girl cuff. I had the same experience years ago. The nurse took my blood pressure and it was so high. When I saw the doctor she was concerned and took a second reading but she asked the nurse to bring the big girl cuff and viola normal blood pressure. She asked the nurse what cuff she used and she hemmed and hawed and the doctor told her that using the right cuff is elementary and she didn't want it happening again. When the nurse stepped out the doctor told me the same thing you advised "always ask for the larger cuff". I think some nurses don't want to offend a patient but heck I know I am a big girl so use the right cuff. Good advice Janelle.
Stef

EveningStar2

fauxma said:

Janelle,
I always ask for
Janelle,
I always ask for the big girl cuff. I had the same experience years ago. The nurse took my blood pressure and it was so high. When I saw the doctor she was concerned and took a second reading but she asked the nurse to bring the big girl cuff and viola normal blood pressure. She asked the nurse what cuff she used and she hemmed and hawed and the doctor told her that using the right cuff is elementary and she didn't want it happening again. When the nurse stepped out the doctor told me the same thing you advised "always ask for the larger cuff". I think some nurses don't want to offend a patient but heck I know I am a big girl so use the right cuff. Good advice Janelle.
Stef

Also
if your BP is out of wack with the proper cuff and it is with a machine, ask for it to be taken manually. The machine is not as accurate as a human.

Maureen RN

Kylez

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

I always get BP taken on my
I always get BP taken on my leg, and never get a reliable reading. I have started taking my BP at home daily and I use that info to monitor my BP. I also downloaded an app "Heart Pal" for tracking the BP. It graphs and charts the readings so I can get an average over time.

If you take BP at home, I understand that first thing in the am is not the best time. You should get up and move around for a while first. Try and be consistent in the conditions and time of day when you are taking your BP as well.

Best wishes to all of us managing the BP. Thanks for starting this good discussion Janelle.

Hugs,

Linda

I've never known this.
I've never known this. Thanks for sharing this info! There is always just one cuff in my doctor's office that I know of.