Difference in blood pressure between arms..

A sign of high risk of developing heart diseases..

If you tend to have a  potential value of an inter-arm difference you may run the risk of developing increased cardiovascular risk.
The first study, which was published in The Lancet, suggested that a difference of more than 10mmHg or 15mmHg in systolic blood pressure (the upper reading of B.P) was an indicator of increased risk of vascular disease and mortality.
A research team from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry reported the first systematic review of findings related to the risk factors associated with a difference in blood pressure between arms.
The second study, which was published on the 20th March 2012 by the British Medical Journal looks at data from patients over a 10-year period, suggested that there is a link between a difference in blood pressure between arms and vascular disease and mortality and further emphasized the need for two-arm blood pressure checks to become the norm.

The study followed up 230 patients receiving treatment in the practice for hypertension. Two-arm blood pressure readings were taken from participating patients at the start of the study during three successive surgery attendances and they were then followed for 10 years.Of the 230 patients, 24 percent had a difference between the arms in systolic blood pressure measurements of more than 10mmHg and nine per cent registered a difference of more than 15mmHg.
Findings:

• A difference of 10mmHg indicates an increased risk of peripheral vascular disease (the narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet).
•  A difference of 15mmHg or more is associated with increased risk of peripheral vascular disease; pre-existing cerebrovascular disease (affecting the blood supply to the brain and often associated with conditions such as dementia) and mortality.

By carrying out a study over 10 years, the research team was able to assess the impact of an inter-arm difference in blood pressure over a longer period of time and so witness the long-term effect on patients' health.
Blood pressure chart for reference

Risk factors for  B.P

• Smoking or being exposed to second hand smoke daily 
• Frequent consumption of alcohol.
• Some risk factors are unavoidable such as family history of hypertension, and old age.
• Being overweight (If you are overweight and have hypertension losing even 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure) or leading and inactive lifestyle also contributes in controlling high blood pressure.
• Taking oral contraceptives, having kidney disease and diabetes are some other risk factors.

Controlling high blood pressure is a common undertaking recommended by Physicians to anyone with a blood pressure over 140/90mm Hg.So from next time while you get your blood pressure monitored, pay heed to the inter-arm difference as well.