According to a new meta-analysis of 24 Global Studies published Monday in the Journal of Hypertension, a systolic, or peak blood pressure reading between the two arms may be a warning sign of a future heart attack or stroke.
Clinical Senior Lecturer at University Exf Exeter Medical School in the United Kingdom, lead author Dr. “Patients who need to have their blood pressure checked now should expect to have it checked at least once in both hands,” Chris Clark said in a statement. .
Blood pressure is measured in millimeter units of mercury (abbreviated as MMHG), which has two numbers – an upper or systolic reading that represents the maximum pressure in your arteries, and a lower or diastolic reading that shows pressure. Your arteries when your heart muscle relaxes between heartbeats.
A new study found that for every degree between 10 hands of mercury greater than 10 millimeters of mercury, the risk of developing a new angina (chest pain), heart attack or stroke increased by 1% over the next decade.
The results of the study showed that differences in mercury above 5 millimeters between the two arms “predicted overall mortality, cardio-vascular death, and vascular events.”
“We have long known that the difference in blood pressure between both hands is linked to poor health outcomes,” Clark said.
The study “tells us that the greater the difference in blood pressure between the arms, the greater the risk of vascular risk, so it is really important to measure both arms to establish that patients can significantly increase,” Clarke said.
Systolic key difference
A difference of 10 millimeters of mercury or less between arms is considered normal by the AHA and is not a cause for concern. However, a high reading between the two hands can be a sign of narrowing or hardening of the arteries, which can affect blood flow.
Contrary to the guidelines in US, within that “Both the UK and the EU recognize the systolic difference of 15 mmHg or more between the two arms as a threshold indicator of additional cardiovascular risk,” the study said.
The study shows that international guidelines should be re-evaluated, said Victor Ebons, professor and chief research co-ordinator of the Department of Cardiology at the Duputren University Hospital in Limoges, France.
“We believe that a difference of 10 mmHg for systolic inter-arm blood pressure can now be generally considered as the upper limit, while both hands are measured in order during regular clinical appointments,” Ebons said in a statement.
“This information should be included in future guidelines and clinical practice for assessing cardiovascular risk. This means that many more people were considered for treatment that could reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke and death,” Ebons added.
In addition, health professionals should measure blood pressure in both hands during checkups, the report said. While international guidelines currently recommend this practice, it is “widely ignored”.
“International guidelines currently recommend that this is done, it only happens around half the time, usually due to time constraints,” Clark said.
“One-handed checkups with a regularly used blood pressure monitor are inexpensive and can be carried out in any healthcare setting, without the need for additional or expensive equipment,” Clark said. “Our research shows that a little extra time measuring both weapons can ultimately save lives.”
Take your own blood pressure
The AHA suggests that anyone with such concerns about their blood pressure should keep an eye on them at home.
AHA says to take blood pressure readings like morning or evening at the same time every day. Follow these steps to make sure you get an accurate reading:
Do not smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise for at least 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Go to the bathroom and empty your bladder.
Sit with your back straight and supported, which means sit on a hard-supported chair at a desk or table, not a sofa.
AAHA recommends that “your feet should be flat on the floor and your feet should not cross. Your hands should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper hand at heart level.”
Roll up your sleeves – don’t measure over clothing. Sit there for at least five minutes of quiet rest before starting any measurements.
Follow the pictures on your blood pressure monitor – one of the main steps is to make sure that the cuffs are placed directly above the elbows.
Take multiple readings and record the results. “Each time you measure, take two or three readers a minute apart and record the results using a printable tracker. If your monitor has built-in memory to store your readings, take it to your appointments. Some monitors Can also allow. After registering your profile you upload your reading to a secure website, “AHA recommends.
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