When is an upper-arm blood pressure measurement not suitable?
In general, both upper-arm and wrist blood pressure monitors are suitable for home use. When used correctly, both types can be accurate enough. However, not every device is equally appropriate for everyone.
Some manufacturers offer longer cuffs as separately available accessories. Cuffs that are too short that you might just be able to wrap around the arm but that aren't approved for that arm size and therefore sit poorly can give falsely high readings. Likewise, cuffs that are too narrow can lead to incorrect measurements.
With particularly slim upper arms you also need to watch that the cuff isn't too loose and can be applied correctly. If this isn't possible, the cuff may slip during the measurement or give wrong readings because it sits too loosely.
Wrap-around (Velcro) cuffs are easy to put on but can slip especially when the upper arm tapers sharply toward the elbow. That usually makes the measurement uncomfortable and can distort the values. The same can happen with pre-shaped cuffs that don't fit well on this arm shape; they can also pinch the tissue uncomfortably.
Wrap-around (Velcro) cuffs are easy to put on but can slip especially when the upper arm tapers sharply toward the elbow. That usually makes the measurement uncomfortable and can distort the values. The same can happen with pre-shaped cuffs that don't fit well on this arm shape; they can also pinch the tissue uncomfortably.
People with a large upper-arm circumference for example with severe obesity are therefore nowadays often advised to measure at the wrist. The same applies to people who have a large upper-arm circumference because of muscle mass.
But even with very slim arms it is advisable to measure the upper-arm circumference before buying a blood pressure monitor and to ensure the cuff fits properly.
Please note that a cuff-based blood pressure measurement always compresses the arm or wrist. This is necessary because the blood flow must be temporarily stopped for the measurement. However, there is a difference between the normal, somewhat uncomfortable pressure that is necessary and a painful pinch caused by a cuff that doesn't fit.
Just as an upper-arm measurement isn't always recommended, a wrist measurement isn't suitable for everyone either. To learn why, read our article „When is a wrist blood pressure measurement not suitable“.
Sources:
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 11/2025).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
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