Loose cuff hypertension.

In this study, an analysis of the effects of cuff looseness on mean blood pressure readings was performed. Using a standard adult blood pressure cuff, pressure readings were taken on each arm at a cuff looseness of 0, 2, 4, and 6 cm beyond patient arm circumference. The cuff was then switched to the opposite arm and the procedure repeated. Blood pressure readings taken from the left arm with the cuff at an appropriately snug fit served as the reference. Increasing cuff looseness simulates the possibly incorrect blood pressure cuff placement by health care workers in the clinical setting. Data from 24 subjects support the claims that mean blood pressure increases with respect to increasing cuff looseness. It was shown that measurements taken on left and right arms will result in significantly different blood pressure readings (p < 0.001). It is therefore crucial to properly place the cuff at a snug fit on the patient's arm for each measurement procedure, to prevent false readings. Lack of consistent cuff size and snugness procedures can lead to misdiagnosis of hypertension, acute patient discomfort, and inconvenient costs to the patient and health care provider.