How do I know what size my cuff is?
How do I know what size my cuff is?
Divide the distance in half to locate the mid-upper arm. Wrap a tape measure around the mid-upper arm to determine arm circumference (typically measured in centimeters). Based on arm circumference, determine the cuff size that is appropriate. Use this information to help with device selection.
What size blood pressure cuff should I use?
Recommended Cuff Sizes for Accurate Measurement of Blood Pressure
| Patient | Recommended cuff size |
|---|---|
| 22 to 26 cm | 12 × 22 cm (small adult) |
| 27 to 34 cm | 16 × 30 cm (adult) |
| 35 to 44 cm | 16 × 36 cm (large adult) |
| 45 to 52 cm | 16 × 42 cm (adult thigh) |
Are there different size blood pressure cuffs?
Using a wrong-size blood pressure cuff can affect accuracy by up to 30 mmHg. The American Heart Association recommends a cuff bladder width of 40% of the arm circumference and a cuff bladder length of 80% of the arm circumference.
What happens if you use a blood pressure cuff that is too small?
Studies have shown that using too small of a blood pressure cuff can cause a patient’s systolic blood pressure measurement to increase 10 to 40 mmHg. Blood Pressure Cuff Used Over Clothing1,3,4 – When having your blood pressure measured, the cuff should always be placed directly on your arm.
What happens when you use a blood pressure cuff that is too big?
A BP cuff that is too large will give falsely low readings, while an overly small cuff will provide readings that are falsely high. The American Heart Association publishes guidelines for blood pressure measurement [2].
What happens if my blood pressure cuff is too small?
What is cuff size?
The width of the bladder of the blood pressure cuff should be approximately 40% of the circumference of the upper arm midway between the olecranon and the acromion. The length of the bladder of the cuff should encircle 80 to 100% of the circumference of the upper arm at the same position.
Does blood pressure cuff size affect reading?