The difference in blood pressure between arms linked to a greater risk of death, new study finds

A new study finds that a difference in blood pressure between arms is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

A team of researchers at the University of Exeter led the large-scale meta-analysis of all relevant research projects, combining data on over 54,000 people from a total of 24 studies conducted in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the US. Data collected on blood pressure readings taken from both arms were included.

In a paper published this month in the journal Hypertension, the team concludes that greater differences between the blood pressure of the arms are linked with an increased risk of death and illness.

Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure. Image Credit: kurhan/Shutterstock.com

Understanding the link between blood pressure and health implications

Scientists have long understood that differing blood pressure between the arms is associated with poorer health outcomes. However, until now, the full extent of the health implications had remained unclear.

Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers, as the upper limit of maximum blood pressure (systolic), and minimum level (diastolic). People who have high systolic blood pressure are considered to have hypertension, a health implication that affects around a third of adults and is known to increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

Previous research has revealed that differences in systolic blood pressure between the arms are related to artery narrowing which can impact blood flow. These arterial changes are considered to be risk factors for cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and even death.

Reviewing international blood pressure guidelines

Researchers of the current project recognized the need to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between differences in systolic blood pressure between the arms and these health implications.

To do this, the team analyzed data collected over a decade on inter-arm blood pressure difference, as well as heart attacks, strokes, and deaths. The study’s results revealed that each 1 mmHg difference in systolic blood pressure between the two arms translated to a 1% increase in predicted 10-year risk of new angina, a heart attack, or stroke.

Dr. Chris Clark, the study’s lead author, summarizes the significance of the results, “it tells us that the higher the difference in blood pressure between arms, the greater the cardiovascular risk, so it really is critical to measure both arms to establish which patients may be at significantly increased risk. Patients who require a blood pressure check should now expect that it's checked in both arms, at least once.”

Currently, it is the protocol to measure food pressure in both arms when assessing a patient’s cardiovascular risk, according to international blood pressure guidelines. However, these recommendations are often ignored, and blood pressure readings are often only taken from one arm. The findings of the new study emphasizer the importance of following this guidance.

Clark highlights the relative ease of following the guidelines, and the potential impact it could have, “checking one arm then the other with a routinely used blood pressure monitor is cheap and can be carried out in any healthcare setting, without the need for additional or expensive equipment. Whilst international guidelines currently recommend that this is done, it only happens around half of the time at best, usually due to time constraints."

Our research shows that the little extra time it takes to measure both arms could ultimately save lives”.

The study’s findings also suggest that the UK and European guidelines on blood pressure should be revised. Currently, guidelines state that a 15 mmHg systolic difference between the two arms is the threshold indicative of elevated cardiovascular risk.

However, the results of the new study demonstrate that this should be reduced to 10 mmHg. According to the new evidence, a 10 mmHg difference is the upper limit of what is normal, and anything greater may indicate an increased cardiovascular risk.

Journal reference:
Sarah Moore

Written by

Sarah Moore

After studying Psychology and then Neuroscience, Sarah quickly found her enjoyment for researching and writing research papers; turning to a passion to connect ideas with people through writing.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Moore, Sarah. (2020, December 21). The difference in blood pressure between arms linked to a greater risk of death, new study finds. News-Medical. Retrieved on December 22, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201221/The-difference-in-blood-pressure-between-arms-linked-to-a-greater-risk-of-death-new-study-finds.aspx.

  • MLA

    Moore, Sarah. "The difference in blood pressure between arms linked to a greater risk of death, new study finds". News-Medical. 22 December 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201221/The-difference-in-blood-pressure-between-arms-linked-to-a-greater-risk-of-death-new-study-finds.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Moore, Sarah. "The difference in blood pressure between arms linked to a greater risk of death, new study finds". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201221/The-difference-in-blood-pressure-between-arms-linked-to-a-greater-risk-of-death-new-study-finds.aspx. (accessed December 22, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Moore, Sarah. 2020. The difference in blood pressure between arms linked to a greater risk of death, new study finds. News-Medical, viewed 22 December 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201221/The-difference-in-blood-pressure-between-arms-linked-to-a-greater-risk-of-death-new-study-finds.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Caregiver stress may increase hypertension risk in Black women