Why is my BP higher on the left arm than the right arm, using an aneroid sphygmomanometer?

Question

Why do I get the same measurement using the aneroid on my right arm and using the digital monitor on my left arm but when I take my BP using the aneroid on my left arm, I get a higher measurement?

Answer 1

Since you have not mentioned your age, and the difference of variation in both hands. It becomes difficult to give a good advise on the net.

However if the variation is more than 30mm Hg, than watch out for coarctation of Aorta, this can be easily diagnosed in doing an Xray chest PA view, +Abdomen AP view.

However clarify your problem with a good cardiologist.

Answer 2

The difference in blood pressure may be due to the resistance / smoothness / size of the blood vessels. The higher the resistance, the higher the blood pressure. Resistance is related to size (the larger the blood vessel, the lower the resistance), as well as the smoothness of the blood vessel walls. Left arm is closer to the heart than the right arm. Blood pressure is taken on the left arm at the same level of the heart.
Please see the web pages for more details on Blood pressure.