If there is a difference in blood pressure between a patient’s right and left arm, they may be at greater risk of dying from heart and circulatory disease, according to a new study.
Researchers found that a difference in systolic blood pressure of 15 mmHG or more between arms was associated with an increased risk of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Natasha Stewart, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Theoretically, measuring blood pressure on both arms to assess vascular disease risk is a quick and simple task. But it is too early to say whether this idea could become part of standard healthcare practice – we need more research to confirm the findings. It is very important that other risk factors, apart from high blood pressure, are taken into account to establish whether doctors need to take a closer look at someone’s heart disease risk.” The research, a meta-analysis of 28 different studies, was published in the Lancet.
