Key result
Systolic inter-arm BP differences over 10 mmHg affect ~26% of healthy young adults.
Why the study?
Recent studies have shown that a difference in blood pressure between the right and left arms leads to cardiovascular events, motivated this investigation into the prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure difference and the effect of hand dominance in a young, healthy population.
What is the prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure difference and the effect of hand dominance on blood pressure among young healthy adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=3,030)
What is the prevalence of inter-arm blood pressure difference and the effect of hand dominance on blood pressure among young healthy adults?
Significant inter-arm blood pressure differences (>10 mmHg) are common (26.1% systolic) even in young, apparently healthy adults and are influenced by hand dominance, supporting mandatory bilateral blood pressure measurement.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Inter-arm BP differences are common in healthy young adults; leaves open whether routine bilateral measurement improves outcomes or risk stratification.
More than 100 years ago, the difference in blood pressure (BP) between arms was first reported. Recent studies have shown that different blood pressure between the right and left arm leads to cardiovascular events. Three thousand and thirty volunteers participated in our cross-sectional study. The sIABP was equal in 163 of 3030 persons (5.37%), dIABP was equal in 222 out of 3030 persons (7.32%), from a total of 792/3030 persons (26.1%) sIAD >10 mmHg, and dIAD > or = 10 mmHg was found in 927 out of 3030 persons (33.5%) in the right arm, and 32.4% in the left arm. In 2692 of 3030 volunteers BP, initially recorded in the dominant hand (right arm), showing sIAD > or = 10 mmHg was found in 943 (37.1%) volunteers, and when the first measurement was done in 338 left-handed volunteers it showed sIAD > or = 10 mmHg in 112 of 338 (34.1%), P < .001; 95% confidence interval for systolic right hand were (115.73: 116.73), and for systolic left hand 95% confidence interval were (113.17:114.15). Furthermore, height, residential area, and heart rate above 90 bpm had a significant effect on IAD (P = . 041, 0.002, <001, respectively). In conclusion, significant inter-arm systolic and diastolic BP differences above (10 mm Hg) is common in the young, healthy population. Hand dominance is a significant consideration while measuring blood pressure. It is mandatory to measure blood pressure in both arms in a sitting position with a stable condition.
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Essa et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD) in young healthy adults (n=3,030). Right-hand dominance (initial BP measurement in dominant right arm) vs. Left-hand dominance (initial BP measurement in dominant left arm) was evaluated on Prevalence of systolic inter-arm blood pressure difference (sIAD) >= 10 mmHg (p=<0.001). Bilateral blood pressure measurement in 3,030 healthy young adults revealed a 26.1% prevalence of systolic inter-arm difference >10 mmHg, with higher rates in right- vs left-handed individuals.
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