Heart risk can be cut by testing both arms
More likely there are problems if readings differ
TAKING the blood pressure of both arms rather than just one could help doctors spot hidden heart disease.
A study found that when there was a big difference between the two readings, seemingly healthy people were 38 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or other potentially deadly cardiovascular problem.
This suggests that something as inexpensive, quick and simple as taking an extra blood pressure reading could give patients valuable early warning of problems. They could then make changes to their lifestyle to improve their heart health. Heart disease and strokes claim more than 10,000 lives annually, according to the Irish Heart Foundation.
High blood pressure trebles the risk of heart attacks and strokes, can damage the kidneys and eyes, and i s becoming i ncreasingly linked to dementia. However, the symptoms often go unnoticed until it is too late.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the US took blood pressure readings from both arms of nearly 3,400 outwardly healthy men and women aged 40-plus.
Small differences in readings between the right and left arms are normal. In the study, systolic pressure, the higher of the two fig- ures in a blood pressure reading, varied on average by five points.
But in ten per cent of patients, there was a difference of ten points or more between arms.
These men and women were 38 per cent more likely to have a heart attack, including a fatal one, stroke or related problem during the next 13 years.
It is thought that if there is a big difference between the two readings, the artery supplying the arm with the higher reading is likely to be clogged with fat.
This is a sign that the arteries in the heart and brain are also becoming blocked, raising the odds of heart attacks and strokes, the American Journal of Medicine reports.
Although guidelines tell doctors to measure the blood pressure of both arms, many simply take a reading from the arm closest to them.
The British Heart Foundation said that a big difference in blood pressure readings between arms should not be ignored.
Thembi Nkala, a senior cardiac nurse with the charity, said: ‘Even if someone has no other cardiovascular risk factors, uneven high blood pressure could be a sign of an increased future risk of cardiovascular problems.
‘Guidelines already call for blood pressure to be measured in both arms when diagnosing high blood pressure.
‘If you’re worried about your blood pressure or cardiovascular r i sk, speak t o your GP or practice nurse.’