OBJECTIVE

To determine if there is a difference between measuring blood pressure in the arm with and adequate size bracelet for patients (arm circumference > 34 cm) vs measuring blood pressure in the forearm with a standard bracelet (arm circumference < 22-33 cm) in patients with arm circumference > 34 cm.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was done from January to June 2017. Sample: patients from external consult of Hospital General de Mexicali with arm circumference > 34 cm. Blood pressure was measured in the forearm of the patient with a standard bracelet, blood pressure was measured again in the arm with an adequate bracelet (for patients with an arm circumference > 33 cm).

RESULTS

320 patients were included for this study, 67% were women, with an average age of 41 years, average arm circumference was of 38 cm. In men, the average age was 35 years with an average arm circumference of 38 cm. Average of the systolic pressure in the forearm was 128.6 ± 12.5 vs 125.5 ± 13.6 mmHg in the arm, with a difference of 3.54 with a p = 0.0007. The average of the diastolic pressure in the forearm was 83.42 ± 8.95 vs 79.21 ± 8.88 mmHg in the arm with a difference of 4.21, p ≤ 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of blood pressure in the forearm with a standard bracelet in patients with an arm circumference > 34 cm when we don’t have the adequate bracelet will give us similar values compared to the blood pressure in the arm with an adequate bracelet, with higher values but differences below 5 mmHg.

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