Been training for 10+ years and arms gave reached a size where standard BP cuffs don’t fit. Currently on methylphenidate and want to monitor BP at home since I’ve been having white coat HTN. I had a monitor that would inconsistently give me readings there were fairly normal but often times would be in the 150-160s/90-99, which I attribute to poor cuff size since it felt like my arm was squeezed way too tight. Noticed both with the new monitor I have and the old, when positioned with bladder and tube closest to elbow, I’d get high readings and my arm consistently squeezed too hard. But upside down, it would fit better and I’d get more normal readings for me. Is it OK to use the cuff upside down if it feels better? Or is this confounding the results?
I’d recommend getting a larger size cuff. We have a table outlining recommended sizes based on arm circumference in this article: Blood Pressure - Causes, Prevention & Treatment
Thank you for the quick response! My cuff should be the right size based on measuring around middle of Bicep, but I still feel some excessive tightness more proximity (closer to tricep belly. Should I measure higher up my arm for a better fit?
It’s really difficult for me to give confident advice on this via the forum here, for a topic that could have lifelong implications for your blood pressure management. I don’t know what “excessive” tightness means here; a degree of uncomfortable tightness is quite normal during BP measurements.
The circumference measurement should be in the mid-part of the upper arm. If you are not sure whether you’re getting accurate/reliable measures, you could take your machine & cuff with you to your next appointment and compare/calibrate against what they get in office.