MEASURING THE BLOOD PRESSURE DO WE REALLY NEED SLEEVES ROLLED UP?

Abstract

Technical issues and techniques are very important while measuring the Blood Pressure. It has been
recommended that blood pressure should be measured on bare arm. In Pakistani society especially in females
this procedure becomes difficult to practice due to social and cultural issues.This study is carried out to check
that measuring the Blood Pressure with cuff placed over the sleeve or without sleeve (bare arm) makes any
difference.
Method
Two hundred subjects admitted in Civil Hospital Karachi, attending the OPD of CHK and their attendants
were examined under standard conditions and Blood Pressure was measured by mercury
sphygmomanometer.
Three readings were recorded first with cuff placed over sleeves and with cuff placed on bare arm. Mean of
systolic and diastolic blood pressure with and without sleeve were analysis on SPSS Version 11.5
Result
Difference in means of systolic blood pressure between clothed and unclothed arm was 0.94 mmHg with a
standard deviation of 4.32 and difference of means of diastolic blood pressure for the same was 0.58 mmHg
with a standard deviation of 3.80. This was clinically insignificant.
Conclusion
The difference found in blood pressure with and without sleeve was not significant clinically.