How to check blood pressure on forearm

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Can you take blood pressure on forearm?
How do you manually take blood pressure on forearm?
Where do you take a forearm blood pressure?

Blood pressure readings are most often taken in the upper arm, between the elbow and the shoulder. For some patients, obtaining a blood pressure reading in this area isn’t possible, most often due to the size of the arm. Sometimes medical professionals take blood pressure readings on the forearm instead of the upper arm in these patients. A study published by the New York State Nurses Association found that blood pressure readings taken in the forearm were significantly higher than readings taken in the upper arm; therefore forearm readings are not as accurate.

Step 1

Measure your forearm at the widest point closest to the elbow, using a cloth measuring tape. Blood pressure cuffs are available in different sizes. Although forearm measurements are often taken because other cuffs won’t fit the upper arm, the forearm is often much smaller and can accommodate a smaller cuff. It is still important to use the right size for the most accurate reading and best fit. If your arm circumference is 9 to 13 inches, you should purchase and use a standard adult cuff. If your arm circumference is 13 to 17 inches, you need a large cuff. If your cuff is improperly sized, you will not be able to place the cuff on your arm properly.

Step 2

Slide the blood pressure cuff onto your arm. Apply the cuff to a bare arm. If you need to roll up your sleeve, the sleeve should not apply extra pressure to the arm, so change into a short sleeve shirt if needed. Most blood pressure cuffs have a marker that indicates where the cuff should be placed in relation to the brachial artery. Note that when taking blood pressure on the forearm, the cuff will have to be reversed so that the marker is at the top, since the brachial artery is located in the elbow.

Step 3

Position the cuff so that the edge of cuff with the brachial marker is within an inch of your elbow. Many cuffs are held together with a D-ring that makes it easier to put the cuff on yourself. If the cuff does not have a D-ring, make sure that the cuff is even all the way around.

Step 4

Secure the cuff by pulling it snug, but not tight. You should be able to place one finger underneath the cuff. Readjust the cuff if needed if it is too tight or too loose.

Blood pressure monitoring device
Tape measure

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

B) How to take a forearm blood pressure (steps are exactly like blood pressure taken in

the upper arm except it is taken in the forearm).

1. Check for proper cuff size.

2. Feel for pulse in mid-forearm.

3. Place center of bladder over pulse located in mid-forearm.

4. Wrap cuff smooth and snug with top edge on cuff 1" from bend of elbow.

5. Place stethoscope right below cuff on the pulse.

6. Feel for radial pulse at wrist and inflate 50 mm Hg above estimate of systolic.

7. Because forearm blood pressure is more difficult to hear, it is recommended that augmentation of sounds is performed.

8. Record blood pressure with a note: "forearm blood pressure measured."

Note: Blood pressure measured in the forearm may result in a lower systolic and higher diastolic reading.

To determine whether you have hypertension, a medical professional will take a blood pressure reading. How you prepare for the test, the position of your arm, and other factors can change a blood pressure reading by 10% or more. That could be enough to hide high blood pressure, start you on a drug you don't really need, or lead your doctor to incorrectly adjust your medications.

National and international guidelines offer specific instructions for measuring blood pressure. If a doctor, nurse, or medical assistant isn't doing it right, don't hesitate to ask him or her to get with the guidelines.

Here's what you can do to ensure a correct reading:

Don't drink a caffeinated beverage or smoke during the 30 minutes before the test.

Sit quietly for five minutes before the test begins.

During the measurement, sit in a chair with your feet on the floor and your arm supported so your elbow is at about heart level.

The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80% of your upper arm, and the cuff should be placed on bare skin, not over a shirt.

Don't talk during the measurement.

Have your blood pressure measured twice, with a brief break in between. If the readings are different by 5 points or more, have it done a third time.

There are times to break these rules. If you sometimes feel lightheaded when getting out of bed in the morning or when you stand after sitting, you should have your blood pressure checked while seated and then while standing to see if it falls from one position to the next.

Because blood pressure varies throughout the day, your doctor will rarely diagnose hypertension on the basis of a single reading. Instead, he or she will want to confirm the measurements on at least two occasions, usually within a few weeks of one another. The exception to this rule is if you have a blood pressure reading of 180/110 mm Hg or higher. A result this high usually calls for prompt treatment.

It's also a good idea to have your blood pressure measured in both arms at least once, since the reading in one arm (usually the right) may be higher than that in the left. A 2014 study in The American Journal of Medicine of nearly 3,400 people found average arm- to-arm differences in systolic blood pressure of about 5 points. The higher number should be used to make treatment decisions.

In general, blood pressures between 160/100 mm Hg and 179/109 mm Hg should be rechecked within two weeks, while measurements between 140/90 and 159/99 should be repeated within four weeks. People in the prehypertension category (between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg) should be rechecked within four to six months, and those with a normal reading (less than 120/80 mm Hg) should be rechecked annually. However, your doctor may schedule a follow-up visit sooner if your previous blood pressure measurements were considerably lower; if signs of damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes are present; or if you have other cardiovascular risk factors. Also, most doctors routinely check your blood pressure whenever you go in for an office visit.

For more on getting your blood pressure under control, buy Controlling Your Blood Pressure, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

Image: cheyennezj/Getty Images

Can you take blood pressure on forearm?

Nurses often find that it is faster and easier to take a forearm blood pressure than to search for a larger cuff. Studies have shown that forearm blood pressures generally run 3.6/2.1 mm Hg higher than upper arm blood pressures.

How do you manually take blood pressure on forearm?

Check for proper cuff size..

Feel for pulse in mid-forearm..

Place center of bladder over pulse located in mid-forearm..

Wrap cuff smooth and snug with top edge on cuff 1" from bend of elbow..

Place stethoscope right below cuff on the pulse..

Feel for radial pulse at wrist and inflate 50 mm Hg above estimate of systolic..

Where do you take a forearm blood pressure?

Position the cuff below the antecubital fossa. Apply the cuff to the forearm by centering the arrows marked on the cuff over the radial artery and below the antecubital fossa. If the cuff has no center arrows, estimate the center of the cuff bladder and place it over the artery.