Inter-arm Blood Pressure Difference as an Emergent Risk for Pre-hypertension

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to determine the frequency of pre-hypertension and hypertension along with its association with inter-arm difference of blood pressure.Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted at Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College Faisalabad. Students of age ranged 19-21 years were enrolled by convenience sampling technique for screening of pre-hypertension and hypertension. Blood pressure was recorded from both arms by using sphygmomanometer and inter-arm differences were estimated. Mean±SD for continuous variables, frequency and percentages for categorical variables and chi square for association between pre-hypertension, hypertension and inter-arm difference was analyzed by SPSS 21.Results: Study comprised of 100 students with mean age 19.79±1.18 years. Of total 47% were females and 53% was male population. Mean systolic (p value =0.0002*) and diastolic (p value =0.000*) blood pressure of the two arms were significantly different. Of total population, 27% and 13% of population had pre-hypertension and hypertension respectively. Mean systolic inter-arm difference was significantly higher among the hypertensive subjects as compared to pre-hypertensive subjects, (p value =0.0001*). No significant difference was noted with respect to diastolic inter-arm difference (p value =0.93). Greater percentage of normotensive subjects have systolic inter-arm difference <10mmHg as compared to this most of the subjects with hypertension and pre-hypertension have systolic inter-arm difference of >15mmHg. Significant association between hypertension and systolic inter-arm difference was noted (p value =0.025)Conclusion: Pre-hypertension and hypertension is prevalent among young adults. High systolic inter-arm difference was significantly associated with pre-hypertension and hypertension.

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How Strongly the Body Mass Index (BMI) Is Associated with Inter Arm Blood Pressure Difference

“…As per the American Heart Association (AHA) recommendation, the subject was made to sit with the arm supporting at the heart level. 11 It was assured that zero apparatus error was checked prior to taking the blood pressure readings. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was recorded with the appearance and disappearances of clear Korotkoff sounds, respectively.…”