I started checking my blood presure a year ago because recently I was diagnosed with adult onset asthma, so I sometimes worry it is not asthma but something heart related. Anyway, I always used to measure my left arm at home and the blood pressure would be between 140 to 150 (lower pressure is always normal between 75-85). I started eating a bit better and exercising and brought down my pressure to between 130-140. I was happy until I read that blood pressure should be taken on both arms and surprise, surprise my BP on right arm is 150/80.
I was reading that having such a big difference between left and right arm is a sign of trouble. I really don't want to go on meds, not because I don't believe in them, but because I am scared of side effects. Docs prescribed me asthma meds which just made my asthma symptoms worse and I actually manage it with sauna and home remedies just fine. I should add that I run intensively for 5km 4-5 times a week. Occasionally eat junk food, but eat healthy too. My question is why such a big discrepency between 2 arms. If the cuff size is wrong, then both arms should still be similar.
Just out of interest where did you read that blood pressure should be taken in both arms? Because of high bood pressure and family history of heart disease and blood clots I have been taking my BP for at least 15 years. No doctor has ever suggested doing it on both arms, and it has nev er been done in both arms when I have had my six monthly check.
I think if it was that important to check both arms it would have been mentioned to me when I was admitted to hospital in September when my BP went sky high (210/150).
Please be careful about what you read, making sure it is from a reputable site eg Blood Pressure Association or NHS website
Yes.... apparently there has been a new research done where it is not strongly recommended that blood pressure be taken with both arms. The same research also suggests that difference of 10 points of more is a sign of trouble. These are reputable articles I read and I can post a link, but I am new here and not sure of the rules.
When I twice had a very thorough medical check at a hypertenson centre my BP was taken in each arm and when standing.
The booklet with my Omron monitor says always to use the same arm but states that BP can vary between arms and if it differs substantially to check with your doctor which arm to use for your measurement.
You can post a link basically provided it does not advertise a product or service. The moderator will delay the post until he has approved it.
never heard of this before think I will just stick with the one arm bad enough doing it on one arm never mind two ...then the anxiety will start if the right one is much higher what can you do about it???
Hi derek well this has started something now ha ha was yours ok on the right arm, and as a matter of interest which arm do they use for the 24 hour monitor?? I thought the left arm was used as it is closer to the heart mine is abit lower on right but bp changes so often you would need two monitors at the same time and that would be totally ocd crazy man...
Check both for a week to decide which if any arm gives a higer result and then stick to that arm for your readings.
When getting mine checked by my doctor, nurse or at the local hospital the arm used is the one convenient to them based on the position of my chair to their desk.
Only at the hypertension clinic do they take it on each arm and when standing and they are the experts.
when taking your blood pressure you are taking two readings systolic and diastolic which is to do with the vessels under pressure and then reduced pressure. I think
a good blood pressure reading is 120 / 80 but that figure does vary a bit to be within the healthy range. If you are measuring your pulse then that can be taken at the wrist or neck and you count it for 15 seconds then multiply by four to get beats / minute. The readings should be taken at rest and not after exercise because then they will be false readings.
Richard
ok thank you for that, never really thought about using different arms .. think I will put my monitor away for a while till the new year and enjoy myself , I have been worrying sine the day after boxing day last year when I went in for a flu jab and he took my pressure and it was 184/104 ....was puton ramiprill and coughed and went back to atenolol and now my bp is ok with excercise, white coat anxiety is the culprit, as on atenolol it comes down to 84/54 too low, taking propolis a bee hive extract at the minute that seems to help alot aswell
I am always sceptical about the phrase "new research suggests" ......I had always thought that you take bp on one arm and usually the left arm. I stick to this policy as I truly believe that worry and anxiety in folks like us drive up our bp and I know if I took a reading on both arms and the discrepancy was high I would worry and up would go my bp.
Next time you visit your GP, ask him/her the question and let us know the response please.
By the way I am very envious of your exercise regime. Well done.
here here I totally agree that is one thing we don.t want more anxiey lets keep calm and stick to the left arm only folks,,,, I have to admit I did try it
slightly lower in the right but like I say time you change arms its difficult to get an accurate reading you would need 2 monitors at the same time and thats over the top happy days
I have two as I kept the twelve year old one after buying a new one. I need two hands to use the old one as the O ring that the air plug for the cuff fits in is now rather a loose fit and can shoot out when the pressure builds up so I have to hold it in place.
I still use it sometimes and It is still accurate when compared to the new one.
so you won.t be able to do the two arm challenge then, I am putting the right arm totally out of my mind derek... yes I have heard that lloyds chemist do a good one mine is omron but is getting old can.t remember how much it cost was best of a hundred pounds I think alot of years ago, think they are less expensive now... 
I bought an all singing all dancing one new Omron onEBay for £49. (retail about £130) It came from a doctor so was probably a sample he had been given.
From the Mayo clinic:
Ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 18. Blood pressure should be checked in both arms to determine if there is a difference. Your doctor will likely recommend more frequent readings if you've already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
55 years old in January Derek just done 20 mins on me bike, and it is 121/79 84 high bp is nothing to take lightly I hope you don.t mind me having a bit of a joke in my last post but laughing is a sure way to bring it down, going to badmington this afternoon to keep up my regime have a good day... hav.nt taken anything but bee propolis for it in the last 24 hours...I do get myself stressed about it though, you seem to take it all in your stride.... have a good day all you lovely folks on this forum.