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::
Patient |
Mid Upper Arm Circumference |
Appropriate Cuff Size |
small adult |
22 to 26 cm |
12 x 22 cm |
average adult |
27 to 34 cm |
16 x 30 cm |
large adult |
35 to 44 cm |
16 x 36 cm |
adult thigh |
45 to 52 cm |
16 x 42 cm |
For home self-measurement Celis et al recommended the following:
Patient |
Mid Upper Arm Circumference |
Appropriate Cuff Size |
child or small adult |
< 23 cm |
12 x 18 cm |
average adult |
23 to 32.9 cm |
12 x 26 cm |
large or obese adult |
33 to 50 cm |
12 x 40 cm |
Smaller pressure cuffs have been designed for taking readings over:
(1) the fingers
(2) the penis
Purpose: To select a blood pressure cuff that is appropriate for a patient.
Specialty: Cardiology
Objective: other testing
ICD-10: I10, I11, I12, I13, I15,