Different pressure on different hands: reasons for different pressure on the right and left hand, is it worth worrying
The content of the article:
- When the pressure difference between the right and left hand is normal
- What diseases can be symptomatic of different pressure on the hands
- Different pressure on the right and left hand: causes in pregnant women
- Technique for correct blood pressure measurement
- Blood pressure asymmetry treatment
- Video
Differing pressure on different hands is a common situation. Nevertheless, in each individual case, you need to carefully find out the cause, since this symptom can occur both in perfectly healthy people, and be a harbinger of a disease or its manifestation.
First, the pressure is measured on both hands, and subsequently - on the one on which the indicator is higher
When the pressure difference between the right and left hand is normal
In another way, this condition is referred to as "blood pressure asymmetry" and is recorded in the minimum degree of severity in most people. The results of numerous studies show that usually when measuring blood pressure (blood pressure) on the right shoulder or wrist, the numbers are recorded slightly higher than on the left. Also, higher pressure is recorded on the legs compared to the upper limbs.
The difference in pressure on different hands is usually explained by the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the bloodstream.
Normally, the systemic circulation originates from the left ventricle of the heart by the most massive artery in the human body - the aorta. Bending, the vessel gives off three large branches that carry blood to the right and left arms and to the head. The arterial trunk, which feeds the right hand, departs from the aortic arch earlier and has a shorter length, so the blood entering it has a greater potential energy. It is with this anatomical feature that experts explain the higher pressure figures on the right.
The permissible difference in blood pressure in the right and left hands should be below 15-20 units. Some sources contain information that the difference in indicators can be no more than 10 units (mm Hg).
Many patients ask the question "why is the different pressure on the right and left hand determined if I am healthy?"
In most cases, this happens for the following reasons:
- more developed musculature on one of the limbs;
- anatomical features of the location of the shoulder arteries;
- neuropsychic stress;
- alcohol abuse;
- violation of the method for measuring blood pressure (loose or, conversely, excessively tight fixation of the cuff; improper positioning of the pad on the shoulder; inaccurate positioning of the phonendoscope head, etc.).
The difference in indicators on two hands in the elderly may be more significant, which is associated with age-related changes in the vascular walls.
What diseases can be symptomatic of different pressure on the hands
When the tonometer shows results on different hands, which differ by 20-30 units or more, you need to consult a specialist.
If the value of blood pressure in the right and left extremities is very different, this may be a manifestation of one of the following pathologies:
- massive atherosclerosis;
- violation of autonomic regulation (vegetative vascular dystonia);
- congenital narrowing of the lumen of the aorta or arteries departing from it;
- inflammation of the vascular walls;
- thrombosis, thromboembolism;
- aortic aneurysm with dissection of the aneurysmal sac;
- abnormal branching of arteries with their atypical departure from the aortic arch.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, the pathology is located locally on the side where the smaller numbers are recorded.
Different pressure on the right and left hand: causes in pregnant women
Sometimes differing by more than 10-15 mm Hg. Art. BP figures on different hands are recorded during pregnancy.
What does this symptom indicate? Most often it is an early sign of nephropathy with preeclampsia, or late toxicosis.
Despite the fact that in most cases gestosis is manifested (including) by persistent high blood pressure, its atypical forms can be characterized precisely by the asymmetry of blood pressure. Experts point out that different numbers on the right and left hand make it possible to diagnose this pathology at an early stage of pregestosis and start therapy in a timely manner.
Of particular concern is significant asymmetry, since it indicates the severity of the pathological condition.
Technique for correct blood pressure measurement
To exclude different blood pressure on the right and left hand, registered due to incorrect measurement, blood pressure must be determined in accordance with a certain algorithm:
- Half an hour before the measurement, it is strongly recommended to stop using stimulant drugs, caffeine-containing drinks, strong tea, alcohol, smoking, significant physical or psycho-emotional stress.
- Before starting the procedure, you need to take a comfortable position (sitting on a chair, in a chair or lying down) and try not to talk and not actively move for several minutes. This will minimize the error in the results obtained.
- Prepare the tonometer: check the integrity of the cuff, tubes, pears, and the operability of the manometer. The air from the bellows is exhausted as much as possible through the blower valve.
- The hand that will be involved in the measurement is freely placed on a flat surface. It is not recommended to lower it down or raise it higher than the level of the heart.
- A cuff is fixed on the shoulder, slightly above the elbow bend. Its correct location is described in detail either in the text of the instructions for the device, or indicated as a pictogram on the surface of the cover itself. To avoid distorted readings, use a cuff that fits the circumference of your upper arm. The tubes extending from the pad are located along the inner surface of the arm.
- The head of the phonendoscope is attached under the cuff (at the point where the blood pulsation is most actively heard).
- The pear valve closes, the air balloon is filled with an air mixture. The injection is made up to numbers, by 20 mm Hg. Art. exceeding those on which the pulsation in the phonendoscope ceases to be heard.
- The air from the cuff is slowly released in small portions, while the blood pressure values are noted on the pressure gauge, at which tones appear and disappear.
The value of the systolic pressure is taken as the number on which the first tone is heard in the phonendoscope after the start of air bleeding. For the value of the diastolic - the number at which the tones decay.
The pressure must be measured first on one hand, then on the other. The procedure is repeated three times at five-minute intervals. Which pressure to believe, higher or lower? In the future, it is recommended to determine blood pressure on the hand where its higher value is recorded.
Blood pressure asymmetry treatment
If the difference in blood pressure is due to pathological changes in the blood vessels, it means that the usual therapy with tablet drugs will not demonstrate sufficient effectiveness. It can be assigned as a helper method.
Motherwort tincture may be helpful in normalizing asymmetric blood pressure
The means of choice in this case will be surgical treatment:
- Aortic replacement for aneurysm. In this case, the stratified section of the vascular wall is replaced with an artificial element made of hypoallergenic medical synthetic material.
- Reconstruction of the aorta. With the formation of an aneurysmal sac, a reconstructive operation can be performed without the use of artificial prostheses. It is produced while preserving the natural valve apparatus.
- Bypass surgery. A shunt is a bypass route to an area of pathological narrowing or blockage. It is formed from the patient's own saphenous vein and sutured to the affected artery before and after the damaged area. Thus, an auxiliary blood flow path is formed, the working capacity of the artery, the blood flow in which was difficult, is restored.
- Stenting. A special tubular structure is placed in the lumen of the vessel, the blood circulation in which suffers. The stent widens the narrowed area of the aorta to provide adequate blood flow.
- Endarterectomy. Surgical removal of the affected area of the inner lining of the artery along with atherosclerotic plaques or blood clots.
If the cause of the asymmetry of blood pressure is inadequate autonomic regulation, treatment is carried out with the help of nootropic, sedative, general tonic agents, neuro-multivitamin complexes.
In this case, folk remedies also demonstrate effectiveness: peony, motherwort, chamomile, mint, valerian, etc. It is recommended to take them in the form of teas or decoctions, as well as tinctures. The treatment regimen is selected individually, depending on the characteristics of a particular patient.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author
Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".
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