Understanding Inaccurate Blood Pressure Readings: Causes & Solutions

As many as one in three blood pressure readings are inaccurate. This problem can have potentially serious effects on a patient's care, such as the use of prescription blood pressure medication when it's not needed. There are several identifiable causes and solutions of false blood pressure readings.

Causes

• False blood pressure readings can be caused by a cuff which is the wrong size. Inaccurate readings are also common when the blood pressure is taken immediately after the patient arrives in the exam room.

Results

• Using a cuff that is too small results in a false blood pressure reading which is too high; likewise, a cuff that is too large results in a false low blood pressure reading.

Warning

• Sitting on an exam table--instead of in a chair with arm support--can falsely elevate the systolic blood pressure up to 16 points higher than normal.

Prevention/Solution

• Be sure your care provider uses the proper size blood pressure cuff. If you have arms 13" in circumference or larger, you need a large cuff.

Expert Insight

• Request that your blood pressure reading be delayed until you have been seated in the exam room for at least five minutes, as recommended by the American Heart Association.