INTERARM BLOOD PRESSURE

DIFFERENCE IN YOUNG HEALTHY MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Interarm blood pressure difference is linked to various peripheral arterial disease
and thus occupies great significance in vascular medicine. Due to various physiological&
pathological changes vessels suffer with hardening that produces measurable inter arm
blood pressure difference. Less than one in 5 physicians is interested in measuring blood
pressure in both arms. Objectives: to study the interarm blood pressure difference among
medical students and its association with age, gender, BMI. Study Design: Cross-sectional
study. Setting: Karachi. Period: September 2015 to November 2015. Methodology: Data was
collected from 305 individuals, Blood pressure was measured by designated technician with
students in sitting position with at least 5 minutes of rest, among healthy nonsmokers medical
students of DUHS. Results: Mean weight of individuals was 57.4+- 12.9 kg. Mean height was
found to be 164.6+-9.5 mm of Hg. Mean BMI of individuals was 21.0 +-3.78 kg/m2. Mean right
arm systolic blood pressure was found to be 102.9+-13.4 mm of Hg. Mean right arm diastolic
pressure was found to be 64.1+-12.8 mm of Hg. Mean left arm systolic blood pressure was
found to be 101.8 +-13.0 mm of Hg. Mean left arm diastolic blood pressure was found to
be 64.4+-12.9 mm of Hg. Mean interarm systolic blood pressure was found to be 7.4+-7.6
mm of Hg. Mean interarm diastolic blood pressure difference was found to be 8.6+-8.5 mm
of Hg. Conclusions: Regular measurement of blood pressure in both arms and assessment
of interarm blood pressure difference can lead to a new era where vascular events can be
diagnosed at an earlier stage and thus treated earlier