If the cuff is to small for a larger arm, will it give a false high reading? And if the cuff is to big, can it be accurate on a smaller arm?
2007-01-29 04:34:11 · 7 answers · asked by No.34 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Yes too small is false high, so too large could be false low.
2007-01-29 04:38:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the size of the cuff matters. It can give a false reading. If your cuff is too small for the upper arm, then, you could try to use the cuff on the forarm. Of course, there is the possibility that this reading may also not be accurate. If you feel that your readings have been high, then call the doc, or go to walmart or another place where they have a blood pressure machine in their pharmacy. And try it there. Usually those machines can accommodate any size arm.
2007-01-29 04:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cuff that is too small will always be innacurate, but its pretty difficult to get an inaccurate reading with a cuff that is too big, unless you ignore the fact the cuff doesn't work in the first place. A cuff that is too big won't stop the blood flow, and you can hear it with a stethoscope, so any responsible medical professional would get a different cuff. If the cuff is too small, it would not necessarily be apparent because you would have no way of knowing from the sound that the readings are off.
2007-01-29 05:01:55 · answer #3 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, having the wrong sized cuff can give a wrong reading. That is why there are different cuffs available started from infancy, childhood and catering even for the obese. A too small cuff can give a high reading.
2007-01-29 04:42:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The size of the cuff is important. Also consider two things.. if three people take the blood pressure (which is done by listening to the sound of the blood thru the earpiece) three people will get three different numbers. I always have my doctor take my blood pressure as well as his/her assistant. Many times the reading are very different . The same person should take your blood pressure a few times until they get a similar reading. Also time of day effects it. I hope this helps. I was a surgical assistant for years.
2007-01-29 04:56:12 · answer #5 · answered by Barbara M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wrong size cuff can give inaccurate readings, high or low. You can not assume a small cuff will give a false high reading, it may give an inaccurate reading it could be high or low.
2007-01-29 04:47:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes to9 part 1 no topart2
2007-02-01 04:48:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋