When is a wrist blood pressure measurement not suitable?

Wrist blood pressure monitors can be just as accurate as upper-arm monitors when they are put on and used correctly. However, there is a greater chance of making mistakes with wrist devices than with upper-arm devices, where the measurement point is almost always positioned correctly automatically.

Wrist devices are also not suitable for everyone. Certain groups of people should choose an upper-arm monitor from the outset.

To detect blood pressure, all oscillometric devices (and that includes, with few exceptions, all automatic blood pressure monitors) pick up the vibrations of the blood vessels under the cuff. Blood pressure is then calculated from these signals. On the upper arm these vessels are still relatively large and strong. Toward the wrist their diameter naturally becomes narrower. That makes the vessels at the wrist more prone to narrowing or stiffening of the vessel walls, which can lead to deviations in the blood pressure reading. Measurements there are then less accurate than on the upper arm. People with known arteriosclerosis, people with diabetes, and smokers should therefore prefer an upper-arm monitor, because they have a higher risk of narrowing or stiffening of the more delicate wrist vessels. Older people should also opt for an upper-arm monitor or ask their doctor before buying a device which model is best suited to them.

Another group better advised to use an upper-arm monitor are people with heart rhythm disorders. These are generally difficult for oscillometric devices to handle. In severe cases, devices that offer measurement using the Korotkoff method should therefore be preferred. With wrist devices, arrhythmias more often lead to incorrect readings than with upper-arm devices, so in this case an upper-arm monitor is often the better choice.

• https://www.beurer.com/gesundheitsratgeber/de/blutdruck/oberarm-handgelenk.php
• https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/ausgabe-152007/blutdruckmessgeraete-im-vergleich/
• https://www.hochdruckliga.de/blutdruckmessgeraete.html
• https://www.arznei-telegramm.de/html/2001_08/0108080_02.html

We hope you found the article helpful. Accurate measurements are essential for good blood pressure control. Our app BloodPressureDB can help with that. Clear instructions walk you through taking measurements according to current guidelines. The app can also remind you if you wish. These features are fully available in the free version as well. Get the free app now.

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• Wrist blood pressure monitor
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• How can you regularly monitor your blood pressure?
• When is an upper-arm blood pressure measurement not suitable?
• Long-term blood pressure monitoring