Blood Pressure Cuff Accuracy | Medical Algorithm

Accurate measurement of blood pressure requires selection of a cuff that is appropriate for the site where the readings are being taken.

Standard site of blood pressure measurement: upper arm

The ideal cuff should have:

(1) a cuff width >= 40% of the arm circumference

(2) a cuff length >= 80% of the arm circumference

For clinical situations Pickering et al recommended the following::

For home self-measurement Celis et al recommended the following:

Smaller pressure cuffs have been designed for taking readings over:

(1) the fingers

(2) the penis

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Selecting Appropriate Cuff Size for Blood Pressure Measurement