Blood pressure differences.

Considering that blood pressure changes throughout the day, it doesn't seem surprising to me that it can change from arm to arm. Check with the nurse at your docs office or pose the question to him directly on your patient portal. To be clear, I am not a medical professional.

I don’t know for sure, but I am thinking that they could tell if there are any severe medical issues going on. Like if there is cholesterol building up or a blockage, it would show up on blood pressure between the two arms. And I’m sure there are many other reasons, but I don’t know what they are
I hope someone could give you the correct answer and I hope you have a great day

It is normal that two, three, ten, two-hundred and forty-six, repeated and consecutive measurements with any one instrument designed to measure blood pressure will each be different with only a few of those showing the same numbers...maybe 6%. So, if I'm anywhere close to being correct, you have about a 5-6% chance of repeated numbers in two measurements taken a minute apart. And that's on the SAME ARM!

Now, you take a measurement and then remove the cuff and place it on the other arm. You've sat up a bit, moved around, fiddled with the cuff's placement, maybe held your breath a bit, then release that breath, sign, and sit back for the next measurement. What are the chances?

Also, the reading I have done say that it is typical to get different readings, same time, two arms, two different instruments. The body is like that, and so is the variance between instruments. But I hope I have demonstrated that just the time factor, by itself, can cause different readings just seconds apart, and still on the same arm.

Hi @esterc, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. What a great question!

I have been to one appointment (vascular surgery) where the blood pressure was taken in both arms, following the explanation that it can be different and valuable information.

Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about varying blood pressure:
- Blood Pressure: Can It Be Higher In One Arm?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058230
I assume you ask the question because your blood pressure is different. How much difference, and how did you figure this out?

About blood pressure readings…be sure they give you time to take several good inhales followed by long exhales or wait until you are settled…that will give your more normal result.