Cuff Size Matters

One size does not fit all when it comes to blood pressure monitors and measuring blood pressure. The importance of cuff size was highlighted in a recent study ^[1]. which found that a cuff size that is too small will make your blood pressure reading too high, and a cuff that is too large will make it too low. It is therefore essential that you find the best fit possible for all sized patients to get the most accurate readings.

What did the research find?

Research carried out in the US using modern blood pressure machines found that the wrong BPM cuff size could lead to a reading that is out by up to 5mmHg.

Findings from the study included:

• Among those who required a small adult cuff, a regular-sized cuff resulted in lower blood pressure readings, including an average of 3.8mmHg lower systolic reading and 1.5mmHg lower diastolic reading.

• Among those who required a large or extra-large adult cuff, a regular-sized cuff was associated with higher readings, including an average 4.8mmHg systolic reading and 19.7mmHg higher diastolic reading, respectively.

The study concluded that a renewed emphasis on cuff size is needed in the industry, particularly in regards to people requiring large or extra-large cuff sizes.

How to find the right BPM cuff size?

According to the British Heart Foundation, the BPM cuff should wrap snugly around the upper arm, with just enough space to slide 2 fingers underneath. Most home blood pressure monitors will come with a medium-sized cuff. For patients whose upper arm is much larger or smaller than average, they may need a different sized cuff.

Accurate BMP reading could not be more important, especially when you consider that an estimated 5.4 million adults in the UK with high blood pressure (Source: British Heart Foundation) could be undiagnosed because there are usually no symptoms. A wide variety of cuff sizes are available at Henry Schein Medical, including XL cuffs.