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Staying Healthy
Do I need to take my blood pressure in both arms?
- By Toni Golen, MD, Contributor, and
- Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch
Ask the doctors
Q.
I read that I should take my blood pressure in both arms, not just one. Is this really necessary?
A. It is a good idea to measure your blood pressure in both arms, because differences in the readings may indicate a higher risk of heart disease.
A report published in the February 2021 issue of Hypertension examined 24 studies that measured blood pressure in both arms and found that people who had a difference of at least 5 points between the systolic readings (the top number) on the left and right arms were at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, or an early death, compared with those who did not. Lower blood pressure in one arm is most often due to plaque buildup in the artery of that arm, signaling that other arteries in your body such as those to the heart and brain are probably affected.
With this in mind, be certain to ask to have your blood pressure checked in both arms at your next doctor’s visit, or do it yourself at home. If you see a persistent difference, your doctor will likely advise additional testing, lifestyle changes, and perhaps medication to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
— Toni Golen, M.D., and Hope Ricciotti, M.D.
Editors in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Authors

Toni Golen, MD, Contributor

Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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Controlling Your Blood Pressure
An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, many people don't even know they have it, because high blood pressure has no symptoms or warning signs. But when elevated blood pressure is accompanied by abnormal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, the damage to your arteries, kidneys, and heart accelerates exponentially. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect and treat. In the Special Health Report, Controlling Your Blood Pressure, find out how to keep blood pressure in a healthy range simply by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing activity, and eating more healthfully.
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