From this article you will learn: what can be different pressure on the hands;when it's normal, and when not. Why the pressure must be measured on both hands.
- The contents of the article:
- The different pressure on the hands: the norm or the pathology of
- Who and why can be calm
- Who should be wary of
- Who needs to be treated with different pressure on the hands
- Forecast
Many people who measure and control blood pressure are not quite right, if tonometry is performed on only one arm. But even those who do this from two sides, noticing the difference in figures, can not correctly assess the significance of such a phenomenon.
Rules for measuring pressure on both hands The difference in pressure on the left and right hand can be both absolutely normal and evidence of diseases. According to some literature data, about 50% of patients with a marked difference in indices( more than 20 mm Hg) die within 10 years. Having learned about this, many people who have such a condition can be a variant of the norm, begin to panic and independently treat a non-existent disease, although in reality nothing is needed - they are healthy. In 15-20% the difference in pressure on the hands is a truly alarming signal of diseases, which requires an immediate clarification of the cause and special treatment.
A specialist - therapist or family doctor will be able to understand the situation. If necessary and depending on the alleged reason, they will appoint a consultation of other specialists: a cardiologist, a vascular surgeon, a neurologist. Correct diagnosis and treatment not only normalizes the pressure, but also prevents the more serious threats of .You can be cured.
How to understand - the norm is this or the pathology of
If you, having measured the pressure in yourself, loved ones or any other people, noticed the difference of the numbers between the right and left hand, pay attention to several facts that are described and decoded in the table:
What to ReverseAttention Features of influence of the factor on pressure The difference( how many mm Hg the indicators differ) The permissible range of oscillations is 5-10 mm Hg. Art.both upward and downward. The greater the difference, the more it speaks of pathology. On which arm of the blood pressure is changed Both in normal and in pathology the asymmetry of pressure is registered equally often on the right and on the left The pressure is increased or decreased If on one hand it is normal or high, and on the other even more, the problem is less dangerousthan the decrease in figures below the norm on the one hand against the background of normal ones with the other Age In adolescents and people of older age group, the difference in blood pressure is more often Right-handed or left-handed Basically the pressure rises on the main working arm CIs a person with active sports and physical work If so, it is more likely that the asymmetry of BP is their result Having complaints and symptoms If they are, this indicates the pathological nature of pressure asymmetry If you measure pressure rarely, but for the reasonany complaints or for the sake of interest - be sure to do this on both hands. If you perform tonometry daily, at least once a month measure the indicators on the right and left.
Who and why can be calm
From the above table, we can conclude that the discrepancy between BP between the right and left hand is always a norm option only if the difference in indices does not exceed 5-10 mm Hg. Art.(it is typical for 50-60% of people).In all other cases, the interpretation of the data must be approached individually.
On which arm the pressure should be higher in the norm
Asymmetry of pressure in the form of one-sided increase is less dangerous than one-sided reduction, if on the second hand the figures are normal or raised( from 100/60 to 140/90 and above).
The increased pressure can be on the left hand
In healthy young people right-handed people, not associated with intense physical exertion, the pressure on the left hand can be higher than on the right. Active left-handers, this difference may be even greater( about 20 mm Hg).
Explanation: the main artery, the blood supplying the hand - subclavian - to the left departs directly from the aorta, so the blood pressure in it is higher. The right one departs from the smaller vessel - the brachiocephalic trunk, so the pressure in it is lower.
Increased pressure may be on the right hand
Right-handers associated with active physical activity, the indicators on the right should be higher than the left, but within the permitted figures. Explanation - against a background of systematic loads of the shoulder and shoulder muscles through which the subclavian and brachial arteries pass, they increase in volume and become dense. This causes mechanical compression of the vessels, which increases the pressure in them.
Who should be wary of
It is suspect that different blood pressure on different hands is a symptom of pathology, it is possible in those cases when the indicators differ by more than 10-20 units. The more this difference, the more serious the problem. Possible situations and causes are described in the table.
Situation The most probable causes On the one hand( no matter with what) normal, and with the other increased Vegeto-vascular dystonia, individual features of the structure of the aorta, subclavian and other arteries of the upper extremities On the one hand, the numbers are above the norm, and on the other handeven more Hypertensive disease, neurocirculatory dysfunction( vegetative-vascular dystonia) by hypertonic type, agitation, lack of sleep, stress before measurement On the one hand lowered, with the other normal or increased Complication or obstruction of the lumina of the subclavian or brachial arteries( diseases listed under the table) The most common diseases in which upper limb arteries are impaired:
- Atherosclerosis is a cholesteric plaque.
- Thrombosis and thromboembolism - formation of thrombi on the walls or their entry from the heart.
- Aorto-arteritis is an inflammation of the vascular wall.
- Aneurysm - saccular expansion and destruction of the arterial wall.
- Stair muscle syndrome is the consolidation of the muscle fibers through which the subclavian artery passes.
- Tumors of soft tissues and bones in the region of the chest and shoulder.
- Injuries and operations on vessels.
Possible manifestations of
Due to the fact that a strong decrease in pressure on one hand indicates blockage of arteries and circulatory disturbances in it, the following symptoms appear:
- The brush loses its force.
- Fingers become cold, pale and numb.
- Cyanosis of the fingertips or the entire brush is possible.
But if the pressure drops on the right arm, in addition to these symptoms, there are signs of cerebral circulation disorders. This is due to the fact that blood vessels that supply blood to the brain and upper limb, from this side move away from the aorta with a common trunk. Here are these symptoms:
- headache;
- dizziness;
- extended speech;
- memory reduction;
- paralysis of the body half;
- skewed face.
Symptoms of blood supply disorders in the brain and arm Conclusion: the true pressure in a person with different indicators on the left and right hand is the one that is higher. Therefore, if you want to evaluate the course of hypertension and the effectiveness of treatment with antihypertensive drugs, focus only on it.
Who needs treatment
If the difference in pressure between the left and right hand does not exceed 10 mm Hg. Treatment is not required at all. If this difference increases by more than 15-20 points, you need to contact a specialist. It can be a family doctor or therapist. You may need specialized treatment under the supervision of a vascular surgeon, neuropathologist, cardiologist.
This may require:
- Regular tonometry( measurement measurement).
- Taking medications that restore the permeability of vessels that slow the progression of atherosclerosis or aortoarteritis, which dilute blood and improve blood supply.
- Medical treatment of hypertension and vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Gymnastics and physiotherapy for the upper extremity belt and physiotherapy procedures for this zone.
- Surgical treatment - removal of blood clots, cholesterol plaques, stenting and even replacement of altered arteries with artificial prosthesis.
Treatment if there is a pressure difference between the right and left arm If you seek help immediately after detecting such a deviation, treatment will help to eliminate not only the pressure deflection, but also its cause. Targeted treatment completely solves the problem - you can be cured.
Forecast
If you have a difference in pressure on different hands is acceptable, there is nothing to be afraid of - there are no threats.
If, at the same time as the blood supply to the hand is disturbed, cerebral blood flow is disturbed - against this background there is often a stroke, and with a common atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, a heart attack may occur. That is why a pronounced pressure difference on the hands often precedes these dangerous diseases, which in 50% of cases end in the death of patients.