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Why Does Blood Pressure Readings Vary In Both Arms?

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Posted on Sat, 3 May 2014
Question: Some times the blood pressure in my left arm is significantly higher than in my right. On the two recent occasions with 160 bp, there was no reading of my right arm-once in a clinic and once by a cardiologist. I did not believe either and talked to the doctor who treats my bp where I was told that I had split diastolic bp. I tried this myself with my home monitor and found the left diastolic bp was 14 points higher than the right. The lower number is almost always in the 70s. What does split bp mean and should I be concerned about it.
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Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (2 hours later)
Brief Answer: Variation in BP: normal physiological phenomenon Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Health care magic Greetings of the day Normally Blood Pressure taken in an individual at the same time point in both arms can vary. The variation is considered normal and physiological if the difference in blood pressure between both the arms is less than 20 mm of Hg. The variations seen in such normal physiological phenomenon could be due to following reasons: 1. Condition of the blood vessel wall (majorly thickness related to Atherosclerosis) 2. Peripheral vascular resistance The importance in your case would be 1. If the pressure in one arm is higher, that arm should be the one upon which to base any treatments and to check your blood pressure in the future. 2. Since there is an history of MI 10 years ago and hypertension, it would be ideal to follow upon your lipid profile and regular visits to a Cardiologist. Nevertheless, currently there is no reason to be concerned. Have a good healthy diet, avoid smoking and alcohol, take medications regularly for hypertension and a morning walk for about 30 minutes everyday shall keep you young and active. Wish you good health. Take care. Do get back to me for any further assistance. I shall be glad to assist you. Best regards Dr. T. Shobha Deepak MBBS, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. T Shobha Deepak

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1774 Questions

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Why Does Blood Pressure Readings Vary In Both Arms?

Brief Answer: Variation in BP: normal physiological phenomenon Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Health care magic Greetings of the day Normally Blood Pressure taken in an individual at the same time point in both arms can vary. The variation is considered normal and physiological if the difference in blood pressure between both the arms is less than 20 mm of Hg. The variations seen in such normal physiological phenomenon could be due to following reasons: 1. Condition of the blood vessel wall (majorly thickness related to Atherosclerosis) 2. Peripheral vascular resistance The importance in your case would be 1. If the pressure in one arm is higher, that arm should be the one upon which to base any treatments and to check your blood pressure in the future. 2. Since there is an history of MI 10 years ago and hypertension, it would be ideal to follow upon your lipid profile and regular visits to a Cardiologist. Nevertheless, currently there is no reason to be concerned. Have a good healthy diet, avoid smoking and alcohol, take medications regularly for hypertension and a morning walk for about 30 minutes everyday shall keep you young and active. Wish you good health. Take care. Do get back to me for any further assistance. I shall be glad to assist you. Best regards Dr. T. Shobha Deepak MBBS, MD