What are the implications of using a blood pressure cuff that is too small?

Studies have shown that using too small of a blood pressure cuff can cause a patient's systolic blood pressure measurement to increase 10 to 40 mmHg. Blood Pressure Cuff Used Over Clothing1,3,4 – When having your blood pressure measured, the cuff should always be placed directly on your arm.

Why does the correct cuff size matter?

Using a blood pressure cuff that's too large or too small can give you inaccurate blood pressure readings. Your doctor's office should have several sizes of cuffs to ensure an accurate blood pressure reading. … The cuff should cover 80% of the area from your elbow to your shoulder.

How do you place Qardio on your arm?

Position the QardioArm device on the inside of your upper arm, about an inch or 2cm above the joint of your elbow. The Qardio logo should be pointing down, towards your hand. Fit the QardioArm snuggly in place; not too tight.

How much of the arm should a blood pressure cuff cover?

Cuff bladder should encircle 80 percent or more of the patient's arm circumference. An undersized cuff increases errors in measurement.

How do I know if my blood pressure cuff is too small?

If the blood pressure cuff does not fit correctly, the results may not be accurate. This cuff is too small. The inflatable part of the cuff needs to be at least as long as the widest measurement around your upper arm.

What size blood pressure cuff should I use?

The width of the bladder of the blood pressure cuff should be approximately 40% of the circumference of the upper arm midway between the olecranon and the acromion. The length of the bladder of the cuff should encircle 80 to 100% of the circumference of the upper arm at the same position.

Can tight cuff cause a high reading?

If the cuff you're using doesn't fit properly, it could squeeze your arm too tightly, causing your skin to fold over and pinch. Not only that, but an improper cuff fit could also lead to error codes on your blood pressure monitor or incorrect — often abnormally high — blood pressure readings.