January 1, 1989
View Full PaperIs early diagnosis of hypertension a function of cuff width?
Structured PICO
Does blood pressure measurement using a cuff of the correct width compared to a standard-width cuff improve the early diagnosis of hypertension in lean persons?
P
Population
11 subjects with slight or established hypertension diagnosed 5 years previously using a correct width cuff (but normal with standard cuff), particularly lean persons
I
Intervention
Blood pressure measurement using a cuff of the correct width (appropriate to arm circumference)
C
Comparator
Blood pressure measurement using a standard-width cuff (12 cm)
O
Outcome
Difference in blood pressure readings between the correct width cuff and standard-width cuffsurrogate
Using a standard-width blood pressure cuff can underestimate blood pressure in lean individuals, masking the early diagnosis of hypertension.
Abstract
This study followed blood pressure in 11 subjects 5 years after slight or established hypertension had been revealed using a cuff of the correct width (appropriate to arm circumference); at that time, the use of a standard-width cuff (12 cm) had shown a blood pressure within the normal range. For the present study, blood pressure was determined indirectly under very strict conditions so that a faithful comparison between the readings with both cuffs could be achieved. An important underestimate of blood pressure was detected in thin arms when the standard width cuff was used. The present measurements showed a consistent increase in blood pressure with standard-width cuff readings, confirming the hypertension that had been identified using the correct cuff width 5 years previously. These results support our previous hypothesis that early diagnosis of hypertension can be masked by the standard-width cuff, particularly in lean persons.