Inter-arm Systolic Blood Pressure Difference of 15 mm Hg or More in Treated Hypertensive Patients

摘要

Blood pressure is generally measured on in one arm – usually the non-dominant arm. However,increasing data suggests that arm to arm difference in blood pressure is common and may indicateatherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease. Other causes of inter-arm blood pressure difference includevasculitis, fibromuscular hyperplasia, connective tissue disorders, radiation arteritis, thoracic outlet compression,dissecting aortic aneurysm, and congenital abnormalities. A recent meta-analysis of 20 studies revealed that asystolic blood pressure difference of more than 15 mm Hg between the right and left arm was associated with a2.5 greater risk of peripheral vascular disease, a 1.7 fold increase in cardiovascular mortality, and a 1.6 higherrisk of all-cause death. Its presence is therefore not benign.