Header image blood pressure guide - Application image measuring blood pressure with Beurer blood pressure monitor

The Different Measurement Methods – Wrist or Upper Arm?

Blood pressure can be measured on the upper arm or wrist. The measurement results are – as various tests show – just as reliable when measured by either method.

However, with increasing age, the blood vessels can narrow due to deposits or harden due to arteriosclerosis. This particularly affects the wrist arteries, which are further from the heart, making precise measurement more difficult. Older people and smokers should therefore take measurements on the upper arm.

Wrist devices are unsuitable for patients with diabetes, as the arteries may be calcified or porous.

Table of Contents

Why are there measurement differences between measurements on the upper arm and wrist?

During a wrist measurement, the wrist must be at heart level. If the arm is placed flat on the table in a sitting position, for example, the blood pressure is overestimated by about 7-8 mmHg because there is a difference to heart level (1.5 cm corresponds to 1 mmHg).

Faulty measurement results also occur with wrist measurement in the case of heart rhythm disorders and changes in the arteries in the wrist (e.g., due to age). It is therefore possible to get inaccurate results, especially in older people. The arteries on the upper arm are not so sensitive to such influences. Therefore, occasional comparative measurements on the upper arm are recommended.

Correct blood pressure measurement on the wrist

Correct blood pressure measurement on the upper arm

General recommendations

Blood pressure fluctuations are normal. Even with a repeat measurement, there can be considerable differences between the measured values. For this reason, single or irregular measurements do not provide a reliable statement about your blood pressure. Taking regular measurements under comparable conditions is the best way to gain a reliable assessment.
To make reliable statements about your blood pressure, it is best to measure it regularly and always at the same time while sitting. Ideally, measure in the morning (before taking any medications) at the bedside and in the evening before going to bed.
You should not perform any physical activities or use a sauna at least 30 minutes beforehand and ensure an empty bladder before taking the measurement.
You should be completely relaxed for 5 minutes before the measurements - do not eat, drink, move or speak.
Keep your arm still during the measurement and do not clench your hand into a fist. Pay attention to the correct positioning of the cuff. This should always be at heart level during the measurement. Place your legs side by side on the floor.
Measure twice in a row. The second (usually lower) value is the relevant one. Write this down with the date and time.
There should be a break of about 1 minute between measurements so that the blood pressure conditions in the vessels can readjust. The interval between measurements should also not be longer.
Record the results directly after the measurement or save them in an app.

Differences between both arms

There can be deviations in the blood pressure measurement results between the right and left arm of up to 10 mmHg. This is because the left arm is closer to the heart. To better compare the measurement results, the measurement should always be taken on the same arm. In case of doubt, always measure on the arm where the higher blood pressure values occurred at the beginning.

Considerations for wrist measurement

If you want to measure your blood pressure on your wrist, it is important that your wrist is at heart level throughout the entire measurement. Otherwise, the measurement results will be distorted. To do this, sit down, support your elbow on a table and always measure on bare skin, not over a jumper or shirt.

Measuring blood pressure at the wrist: correct arm and sitting position

Different measurement results

Various influences can affect blood pressure and your measurement as a result.

These include:

Psychological influences such as fear and excitement
Movement
Muscle tension
Speaking
Noise and other environmental influences such as television or radio

Errors in measurement

In addition, errors during the measurement can distort the results. Examples of the most common mistakes in blood pressure measurement are:

Cuff was applied too tight/too loose
Cuff is not at heart level
the break between two measurements was too short
talking or moving during the measurement
the cuff is applied over a thick garment
the sleeve of the garment is too tight and obstructs blood flow
Measuring more than three times in a row

White-coat hypertension

Even if you do everything right when measuring at home, your blood pressure may measure differently to at the doctor's surgery. The blood pressure values measured during a doctor's visit are often higher. This is because patients are usually more relaxed at home than in the doctor's office. This phenomenon is called white-coat hypertension.

Some people react exactly the opposite and show lower values in the doctor's office, where they feel safe. In these symptoms, this is referred to as practice normotension.

In both cases, a long-term blood pressure measurement should be carried out to obtain reliable measurement results.

Blood pressure monitors from Beurer

Beurer offers you an extensive range of blood pressure monitors – the right device for everyone.
Whether easy-to-use with one-button operation, elegant with black touch-sensor display or with extended arrhythmia detection function – with Beurer upper arm blood pressure monitors we offer the right solution for every user.

Small, handy and easy to use. The Beurer wrist blood pressure monitors also prove to be reliable companions on the go.

Beurer upper arm blood pressure monitor BM 81 easyLock - application image on a man's upper arm

Especially practical: With the "Scan & Save" function, measurement values from the blood pressure monitor can be scanned with a smartphone camera. The result is automatically recognised and saved in the app saving you time on making a manual record.