Today I’m sharing on an uncommon topic in hypertension: Difference in Blood Pressure Readings in each arm.

Do you know that your blood pressure readings can differ when measured in both arms?

Well, it can happen and it happens. I didn’t know this before like many of us. It can be completely harmless, but other times it can signify an underlying issue.

The variation is reckoned as normal if it’s up to 10 mmHg difference in both arms. For example:
Right arm: 135/80 mmHg
Left arm: 145/80 mmHg
This is seen as normal.

Once it’s greater than 10 mmHg, there’s an issue.

Let’s look at common or harmless causes:

1. Arm positioning when measuring:
   If one arm is held higher or lower than your heart level, or if the cuff is not placed correctly, readings can differ.
   
2. Regular muscle use:
   Some of us are right-handed while some of us are left-handed, and this makes a difference. The arm you use the most is called your dominant arm. The dominant arm often shows slightly higher readings, so it’s harmless.

Let’s look at the medical reasons for the wide difference that cause concern:

Medical causes of bigger differences (greater than 10–15 mmHg):
This must be investigated because a blood pressure difference greater than 10 mmHg between arms is a red flag for cardiovascular disease.

1. It could be that your arteries are narrowing or blocked.
   
2. It suggests that there is a vascular obstruction or disease in the arteries supplying the arms and limbs. It must be addressed.

This includes:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the limbs and outer parts of the body.
  
• Atherosclerosis, where there is cholesterol plaque buildup causing the blockage.

3. Other factors include diabetes, high cholesterol levels, or a history of smoking, which increase the risk of blood vessel narrowing (constriction).

That’s why it’s important to address these wide differences.

What to do:

• Recheck both arms on several occasions, in a relaxed sitting position, with proper cuff placement.
  
• Make it a habit of using the arm with the higher reading for monitoring. This is recommended by doctors.
  
• If the difference is consistent and more than 10–15 mmHg, consult with your doctor. They may check circulation in your arms with an ultrasound or Doppler test.

I will conclude with this: hypertension is a long-term illness that must be addressed, and it can be reversed naturally if we are willing to pay the price.

I am a retired pharmacist with over 42 years of experience who is now a Health and Wellness Consultant and Coach.